Tension As Corps Member Assassinated In Ebenebe Anambra State

Igwe of Ebenebe

Tension is high yesterday in Ebenebe community and environs over who killed a corps member , Evangelist Samuel Ukpata in a prominent Poultry farm situated in outskirt of Ebenebe (along Ugbenu/Ugbene/Awba-Ofemili road) Awka-North local government area, Anambra state.

The Nation learnt un known gun men stormed the farm; clubbed late Ukpata, a staff  of the farm to death, strangled many fowls, ransacked items worth millions of naira , carting away valuables , cash and a motorcycle.

Late Ukpata ‘Pastor Samuel as he was fondly called’ was  a fresh graduate of Animal Science, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management of Ebonyi State University and an Evangelist/Member-Board of Trustees of Holy Grace Ministries, Onuebonyi-Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.

 spot where he was killed

Investigations confirmed that Late Ukpata was an ex student of EBSU, Abakaliki campus  as he was known as very peaceful, caring and loving without looking for trouble.

When this reporter visited the poultry farm on January Tuesday 8, 2013, it was as silent as a grave yard, no security was found but some staff of the firm were on duty under heavy padlock.

A visit to the farm now a grave yard confirmed that late Ukpata was murdered as his belongings scattered in his room an indication of struggle for life.  There was an offensive odour of rotten fowls while Ukpta’s  religious books and bible, text books, dictionary, cloths, electric fan dispersed all over his room.

The farm is owned by none indigene from Ogidi, Idemili-North LGA but a staff still on duty even though everywhere was under key and luck said on anonymity

That, “We (the staff) left our colleague at about when the incident took place but surprisingly, we met his lifeless body lying under a pool of blood as we returned to work next morning . We raised an alarm,  which attracted passers-by in-flux to discover what transpired. Then, we contacted our Oga (MD/CEO) on phone; and he drove-in few hours later, accompanied by his brother, Odinaka and policemen and made away with the corpse and some items for investigation at about 6p.m.”. pens

“My boss recounted to us how he contacted Late Samuel via his phone numbers-07035414371 at 9p.m (same day he was murdered) purposely to discover his state of affairs and that of the poultry”, adding that the farm’s entrance gate seemed to have been unlocked with keys but three rooms apartment under a roof (one occupied by their assassinated colleague, other two-alleged to belong to one Mr. Odinaka, the MD/CEO’s brother and store of eggs) including the four wire-mesh (inhibiting the chicks, fowls and feeds) were jacked, “We saw both the living and dead birds lying in and outside the compound”.

Similarly, the source suggested that the assassins might have hit a heavy wooden frame at back of their victim’s while negotiating selling price with them. “We saw a deep wound at back of his head and heavy wooden frame lying beside him, including our daily accounts book and a biro (suggesting that he was tricked into the mesh for a sell while murdered).

But we did not see his phones, our supply motorcycle and about N20, 000 we left under his custody previous day”.

Late Ukpata was employed December 2013 and was yet to enjoy his salary of N8,000 before he was murdered.

He was described as “a quiet, born-again (religious) and voracious reader” who speak-less but “always marry his books and bible”, noting that he hardly exit the compound “except while on errand to make some purchase inside town/market or to supply yet he often return earlier than expected” adding that they have never spotted him exchanging harsh words or brawl with people or customers.

Fate smiled on Odinaka as he normally sleeps in a room close to the slain staff alone or some times with his brother MD but only went home to assist sell off fowls at home branch before the incident happened.

Odinaka would not want to make comments claiming that the case has been shifted from Awka-North police headquarters, Achalla to Anambra State Criminal Investigative Department (CID) Amawbia.

Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra state Command, DSP Emeka Chukwuemeka, said he is yet to be detailed about the incident, adding that he would contact the PG and Traditional Ruler of Ebenebe before further comments.

But the Traditional Ruler of Ebenebe, HRM Eze Christopher Emeka Nnaegbune (Iga 11 Ebenebe) said he received the sad news with great shock as that was first killing and robbery to be recorded in the town, claiming also that it was first time he learnt that a poultry farm exists under his jurisdiction.

Igwe Nnaegbune who distanced his subjects from the heinous crime, lambasted the farmer for acquiring and developing such a piece of land without beefing it up with  security for his workers. He noted that the farm is situated in a bush, where the community shares boundary/ road with Ugbenu/Ugbene/Awba-Ofemili and Ezi-Agu Local Government of Enugu state.

 He equally urged Nigerian Police to intensify efforts towards unraveling and bringing the culprits to book.

 

People of Amaonalu kindred, Uwani village, Ebenebe who sold the land to the Ogidi Poultry Farmer whose name could not e given , they said they would not comment because they “are at peace with him (the buyer/MD)” and had no dispute with its staff, the deceased inclusive.