Killing of 3 youths: Bereaved Families count losses, demand justice, protection
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
The bereaved families (Northerners), of the three youths gunned down when about 200 thugs said to be land grabbers, stormed their compound at Km 1 Asaba - Benin expressway, Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State, have reportedly buried their three loved ones and demanded justice, compensation and protection against future attack from land grabbers.
Recall that the Delta State Police Command, in a press release made available to newsmen, accused Chief Jerry Nkeweshe from Onicha Olona, of leading thugs/cultists/land grabbers to commit the murder of the trio while 15 others sustained various degrees of injuries and hospitalized in different places.
In the release, the police command declared him wanted, Nkeweshe, with those that stormed the said compound that belongs to Chief Kingsley Ijebuonwu, wanted to be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to would-be future offenders.
In a swift reaction, counsel to Jerry Nkeweshe, Barr. Kelechi Nnadi, denied the police claim stating that as at the time of the invasion that Jerry Nkeweshe was not within the scene of the incident but traveled to Umunede for medical check-up.
Reacting, the chairman of Abraka Hausa Quarters Asaba, Alhaji Auwalu Dalhatu, flanked by Nasiru Dambaba and other leaders, demanded for justice, compensation and protection yesterday against future attack by land grabbers.
Lamenting the untimely death of the trio, another Hausa chieftain, Alhajiu Dalhatu listed the dead to include, Muhammed Multala (Unmarried), Kabiru Abdullahi (married), and Yahaya (married ), all in their early 20's.
His words, " I saw Jerry Nkeweshe inside one of the 15 vehicles that fateful Monday afternoon and his contract killers led by a man who introduced himself to us earlier, on Friday as 'Fire Muller.' They Blocked the gate of the compound, blocked part of the expressway under the pedestrian bridge and started shooting with their pump action guns, causing traffic jam for about 2 hours but the 'B' Division police who promised to protect us locked their gate, even when some of us ran to the police station to seek refuge they refused us entry.
"Jerry Nkeweshe and his men planned to slaughter everyone of us as they numbered over 200 and to demolish the whole buildings here. They vandalized many shops carted away goods, provisions and cash belonging to my Hausa brothers and sisters.
"No single policeman came out to help us despite promising to protect us. We need back up, protection. Our lives are in danger because we don't know the next step Jerry Nkeweshe and his Contract killers could take. They can come and frame another allegation against us.
"We don't want problems, we are simply tenants of Mr Kingsley Ijebuonwu who we know as our landlord for many years now. We have the photocopies of the judgement he has obtained over this property and presently there is another pending matter, where our landlord, sued him for Certificate of Occupancy, forgery.
"Secondly, we need Delta State Government to give justice over the murder of three of our brothers. Thirdly, we need compensation. For instance, Late Mohammed is the only son of his parents and the breadwinner of his poor parents living in Bauchi State. How are his parents going to survive this harsh economic situation in the country?
"Government should help by consoling the family of the deceased financially. Even if Government brings one billion naira for each bereaved family it cannot replace the life of a dead person. They should also contact us so that we would tell them the proper channel that would ensure the money reaches the family of the deceased.
"Also, about 15 of them who were injured need to be compensated. Most of them are no longer able to fend for themselves, some are still in the hospital and we have been doing contributions spending money for their treatment and feeding since Monday afternoon when the unfortunate incident occurred. Some are in St Joseph hospital, St Rebecca hospital, General hospital, ASABA. Some have been transported back to village for other forms of treatment.
"Arewa Community, State Director DSS,Awari Tukur Galadima, Muntari S.A. to Delta State Governor were with us at the Asaba cemetery for the burial," he further disclosed.
According to Nasiru Dambaba, another Arewa Community leader who said he was present when Jerry Nkeweshe's boys came calling on Friday, "Fire Muller" introduced himself saying :" I, Commander 'Fire Muller' have been paid by Jerry Nkeweshe to eject you tenants between Friday and Monday. If I come back on Monday and see any single person here I will shoot the person dead".
"Hearing this threat we called for emergency meeting with the help of the Head of Hausa Community Abraka Quarters Asaba, Alhaji Auwalu Dalhatu. We reported officially to Commissioner of Police Delta State, Area Command and the DPO Division 'B' police station. The DPO said he would send two patrol vehicles by 6am Monday but police never showed up.
"Danjuma, and Abdullahi, are brothers of those murdered by Jerry Nkeweshe's death contractors," he added.
The Caretaker of the KM 1 Asaba -Benin Expressway property, CEO Willval Agency Ltd, Chief Wilfred Egwuonwu, in his contribution said that,
"This was not the first time land grabbers from Delta State have been invading the land to take over the property, some years back the hotel building in that property was demolished by land grabbers.
He said that the property rightfully belongs to Mr Kingsley Ijebuonwu who inherited the place from his own late father with all documents intact.
