The government delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Victor Udeh, among other senior government officials, underscored the sanctity of human life in the state, saying it would not tolerate the killing of any Enugu citizen or resident.
Representatives of Enugu State Government, on Sunday morning, paid a condolence visit to the family of the slain Ogene musician, Okezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah, at Ogui Nike Enugu, restating the government’s determination to ensure that justice is served.
The government delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Victor Udeh, among other senior government officials, underscored the sanctity of human life in the state, saying it would not tolerate the killing of any Enugu citizen or resident.
The condolence visit followed the fatal shooting of the popular Ogene musician at the weekend on his departure from the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad facility, after what the Enugu State Police Command described as a "friendly visit".
SaharaReporters reported on Saturday that Governor Peter Mbah had taken to his social media handle to sympathise with Igbo-Jah’s family and fans, noting that he had ordered an investigation into the untimely death of the artiste.
However, addressing the elders of the family and the young children of the deceased musician, Prof. Onyia said the state government would not tolerate extrajudicial killing of residents for whatever reason.
He said, “We have come as a delegation from His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah to the family to extend our deep condolences on the passing and brutal killing of your son, your brother and our brother. The governor has directed us to come and share in your deep pain and to deliver his message that we are going to make sure that justice is done.
“The state government will work with this family every step of the way because enough is enough. Every single life in Enugu counts, and for us to wake up to such a sad news is something that we will never take lightly."
He added, “We appreciate the emotions because we see what is going on outside, but we want to importantly commend the eldest in the family and the rest of the family for how they have received us well as a government delegation. You have also shown that maturity in working with us.
“To the children, His Excellency is saying ‘take heart’. We will ensure that justice is served. That is one thing we can assure the family; we cannot sit down and fold our hands and allow such an incident to go without consequence.”
“We are really sorry about your loss, our loss. May God strengthen and bless this family as we go through these difficult times,” the SSG said.
Responding, the family representative and Igbo-Jah’s elder brother, Chief Joseph Mba, said Governor Mbah’s dispositions since the tragic incident underscored the determination to ensure that justice is done.
“I want to appreciate our governor, Dr. Peter Mbah for the way he has responded to this incident and for his determination to ensure that justice prevails.
“We are also counting on government’s help towards the welfare and education of his children and family – two boys, one girl, and of course, his wife.
“But importantly, we want to thank the governor from the bottom of our hearts for the way he has shown human feeling and leadership on this matter. We have seen his determination to do things differently,” he said.
SaharaReporters reported on Saturday night that the Enugu State Police announced the arrest of the killer cop, Inspector Ozonwanji Joseph, and also released his photographs.
The command, during a visit to the family of the deceased led by the State Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu, assured that "the killer cop will be made to face the full weight of the law upon the conclusion of the investigation."