Residents of Amangwo community in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State yesterday stormed the Ikwuano council headquarters in Isiala Oboro to demand justice for one of their own, 22-year-old Solomon Ikokwu, who was allegedly murdered by members of a disbanded community security outfit.
The protest came days after the victim’s mother, Mrs. Onyekachi Ikokwu, appealed to authorities in the state to ensure the arrest and prosecution of her son’s killers.
Following her plea, some suspects were reportedly apprehended by the police and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Umuahia, over their alleged involvement in the killing.
Chanting songs of grief and solidarity, the protesters accused the suspects of killing Solomon on false allegations before mutilating his body and burying it in a shallow grave near a stream.
They alleged that the killers took away the victim’s head, hand, and other body parts.
The protesters, who blocked the entrance to the council headquarters along the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene road, called on the Chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Anthony Nwaubani, to ensure justice is served.
One of the protesters, identified simply as Brother Kent, said the community would not rest until those behind the gruesome act were brought to book.
“This case must not be swept under the carpet. We want justice for Solomon.
We want his head and body parts recovered,” he said.
The aggrieved villagers also disclosed that the matter had been reported to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.