Activists seek prosecution of culprits who burnt woman alive

The police in Cross River State have been called upon to arrest and prosecute a terror gang that burnt one Mrs Martina Okey Itagbor to death…

Activists seek prosecution of culprits who burnt woman alive

The police in Cross River State have been called upon to arrest and prosecute a terror gang that burnt one Mrs Martina Okey Itagbor to death on an allegation of being a witch.

Two groups of activists called Citizens’ Solution Network and Agba Jalingo Foundation for Investigative and Accountability Journalism alleged that a 14-man terror gang had been perpetrating jungle justice in New Netim community of Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state for long.

They alleged that “the ruthless gang” had chopped off fingers of Mrs Itagbor before setting her ablaze on a major road few days ago.

It was learnt that the perpetrators had accused the woman of being responsible for the ghastly car accident, which claimed the life of a mother of two boys in the community via witchcraft.

In their joint statement yesterday and signed by one of the leaders, Agba Jalingo, the groups frowned against the extrajudicial killing of the woman, describing the gang as “misguided and bloodthirsty.”

“We want to see that justice is served as we condemn the murder of Mrs Martina Okey Itagbor in the strongest terms.

“The police command should rise to the occasion to prevent further killings of old women who are defenceless in the face of hostility from unexpected quarters.

“The older and defenceless female population should get protected from summary torture, humiliation and killings,” the statement noted.