Robbers kill journalist, injure 12 others in Ebonyi NEWS

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Robbers kill journalist, injure 12 others in Ebonyi

By Tony Edike on 07/10/2018

Journalist Samuel Nweke, killed in the robbery attack

Armed robbers on Saturday killed a journalist in Ebonyi, Samuel Nweke, and wounded 12 others on their way back from the just concluded National Conference of the union held in Abeokuta, Ogun state where new leaders of the union were elected.

Nweke was the vice chairman of the union in Ebonyi and a staff of the state radio and television stations, EBBC in Abakaliki.

They were attacked by the hoodlums who used wood to block the highway along the Nkalagu axis of Enugu/Abakaliki Expressway, Ishielu local government area of the state.

The state Correspondent of Vanguard newspaper, Peter Okutu who drove the union’s bus used by the members for the trip to Abeokuta was badly injured.

Okutu is currently receiving treatment at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki while Nweke’s corpse has been deposited in the mortuary.

Nweke is survived by his wife, three children and a father.

Governor Dave Umahi has expressed great shock over the incident.

Meanwhile, south east chapter of the union (NUJ) has declared one week of mourning and directed members to wear black arm bands throughout the period of mourning.

The NUJ statement on the tragedy:

NUJ ZONE C (SOUTH EAST) DECLARES ONE-WEEK MOURNING FOR SAM NWEKE

We received with shock and pain in our hearts, the news of the tragic loss to the cold hand of death, of one of our vibrant members and Vice Chairman of Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade (Sir) Sam Nweke.

Nweke died in the hands of the wicked men of the darkness, armed robbers, who blocked the bus that Ebonyi contingents were traveling back with after the just concluded 6th triennial delegates conference of NUJ at Abeokuta, Ogun state between 3rd to 5th October, 2018.

Reports reaching us indicate that Nweke was hit by another vehicle during ensuing melee after armed robbers ordered him to lie down during robbery operations.

This is indeed a sad moment for NUJ family, particularly Zone C after streaks of victories, with the emergence of Comrade Chris Isiguzo, Comrade Petrus Obi and Comrade Kenneth Ofoma, as National President, Vice President Zone C and Secretary Zone C respectively, after the conference.

We there express our deep condolences to the immediate family of Sam Nweke, Ebonyi state Council of NUJ and entire NUJ family in Nigeria.

We equally express our sympathies to other colleagues wounded in the unfortunate incident, and wish them quick healing injuries.

We call on security agencies to do the needful by apprehending these hoodlums and bringing them to book.

As a mark of respect, NUJ Zone C hereby declares a week-long mourned ng period for our departed colleague, Nweke, starting from today. Members are expected to wear black arm bands throughout the period of mourning.

May the soul of Comrade Sam Nweke and other faithful departed rest in peace, Amen!

Signed:

Comrade Petrus Obi

Vice President, NUJ Zone C

Comrade Kenneth Ofoma,

Secretary, NUJ Zone C

Posted 07/10/2018 07:08:32 AM

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