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From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The Cross River State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the alleged killers of a woman accused of witchcraft, saying jungle justice is a heinous crime.
Mrs Martina Itagbor from Old Netim community in Akamkpa Local Government Area was murdered by some youths on June 18 over an allegation of engaging in witchcraft activities that had led to the death of some young people in the community.
The deceased mother of four children, who had her fingers chopped off, was also set ablaze by some irate youths of the community. Following the public outcry against such act, the Commissioner of Police, CP Gyogon Grimah, in a statement by the Command’s PPRO, SP Irene Ugbo, which was made available to newsmen in Calabar yesterday, directed that the perpetrators be tracked down, arrested and prosecuted according to the law.
The Commissioner, who described the incident as unfortunate, stressed that no individual or group had the right to take another person’s life under any guise, whatsoever.
His words: «Jungle justice is a heinous crime that the police seriously frown at and would do everything necessary to ensure such does not repeat itself again because no one has the right to take life.
«We have already commenced a manhunt for those responsible for the dastardly act. Those responsible, no matter how highly placed, would be arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of the land.
«We are going to treat them like the criminals that they are, and no stone would be left un-turned on this matter. They can only run, but can›t hide. Enough is enough because jungle justice is not the solution.»
Condemning the act, the Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, ordered the law enforcement agency to arrest and ensure that the perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.
