By Kamsi Anayo
Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET) a platform for Citizens and Non-state actors and stakeholders has reacted with outrage and sadness to the gruesome murder of Hon. Okechukwu Okoye, member representing Aguata II Constituency at the State Assembly.
The lawmaker and his aide Cyril Chiegboka were kidnapped by yet to be identified assailants on May 15 and later gruesomely murdered.
The Leader of the group, Prince Chris Azor on Sunday described the incident as one too many, and absolutely unacceptable.
He said the Citizens cannot sit back and watch the level of barbarism in security of lives and property.
Azor said the civil society organizations and citizen stakeholders have thrown their weight behind the State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, in ensuring that the culprits were expeditiously apprehended and brought to Justice.
He said that they were already mobilising their members across the state especially, the grassroots, through strategic surveillance and information gathering in partnership with community leaders and law enforcement agencies, to achieve desired result.
“We call on all leaders and men/women of conscience in the South East, Nigera and indeed globally to condemn in most strongest terms, these acts of wickedness and callousness.
“All Patriots should rally round Governor Soludo to stem the tide of this cowardly brigandage and sabotage” he said.
The group further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rise up to his avowed responsibilities to defend the hapless Nigerians especially, in Anambra State and the Southeast.
“We see no reason why our President will be busy attending funerals outside the country, while the citizens are here mourning without consolation”, they lamented.
It would be recalled that Anambra state started experiencing worsening violent attacks by yet to be identified assailants shortly after the visit of Soludo to the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody; a move targeted at strategic non kinetic approach to finding lasting solution to the prevailing insecurity in the southeast geopolitical zone.
However, rather than abate, there have been renewed violent attacks and arson leading to burning of government properties, kidnappings and various forms of criminal activities.
The gruesome murder of the State lawmaker and his aide is the latest incident.
In a swift reaction, the State Governor in a statement, through his media aide, condemned the dastardly act and consequently placed a N10 million reward on anyone or group that could provide valuable information that could lead to the immediate arrest of the killers.
He promised hell to the criminals, and assured Anambra citizens of their safety.