OJEMA CONDEMNS GRUESOME MURDER OF OWOICHO ALLEGEDLY BY THE MILITARY
—-Calls for investigation
The Member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on National Inland Waterways, Chief. Hon. Pst Ojotu Ojema FESMI, has condemned the gruesome murder of an Apa youth, Ernest Owoicho allegedly by the personnel of the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) deployed to Apa LGA to protect the people and their property.
Owoicho was arrested by the military in the late hours of on Saturday, March 5 and died in the early hours of Sunday, March 6, 2025 in the military custody.
A cursory look at his corpse shows blood deposits at different parts of his body, indicating torture.
The Aboh-OcheK’Idoma who cut short his trip to Abuja on hearing about the unfortunate incident, went straight to OPWS’s base in Ugbokpo, the Apa local government headquarters to ascertain the authenticity of the story.
Speaking at OPWS base while interacting with the military, Pst Ojema condemned in totality, the gruesome murder of Owoicho, calling on the military to swiftly carry out an investigation to unravel the gruesome murder and bring the perpetrators to book.
“I have the mandate to stand, speak and defend the people of Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly. There are several civil ways of investigating a case other than torture, more so that we are in the Democratic era. The gruesome murder of this young man is highly condemnable and culprits won’t go unpunished. In as much as I stand against any form of criminality, I can not accept the intimidation and unjustifiable killing of my people. An investigation must be carried out immediately and the culprits must be quickly brought to justice”, Ojema told the military.
Hon Ojema directed that the well-being of the two children late Owoicho left behind should be checked so that, an assistance can be extended to them.
Speaking on behalf of the deceased family, Mr Peter Ibrama who couldn’t talk much as he was shedding tears profusely said, Owoicho was a very jovial and gentle boy, was surprisingly arrested by the military on Saturday and the only thing the family saw today was his tortured corpse.
Responding, the Commander of the military base, who would want his name mentioned, regretted the death of Owoicho, saying the attempted investigation process that led to his death was not intentional.
He assured that the Federal Lawmaker that, an investigation would be carried out immediately and the military personnel involved would be brought to justice.
Owoicho Ernest is an orphan and he is survived two little sons.
Olikita Ekani
Media Aide to House of Reps Member
Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency
March 6, 2025