Mother of murdered community leader cries for justice

FEW weeks after a community leader, Chief Innocent Arodu, was killed by gunmen, his aged mother, Madam Fester Arodu, has cried out for justice. Arodu, who was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, was murdered on June 23, 2015 at about 11.30pm by hoodlums who invaded his residence in Akabuka community, Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The gunmen were said to have shot Arodu on his lower abdomen and other parts of the body, living him with no chance to survive the attack. But the 96-year-old mother swore that her son’s spirit would fight those who hacked him down in such a vicious manner. “My only wish now after my son’s death is for his spirit to arise and fight his killers. We are still in shock over how my son was killed. The entire incident looks more like a dream. My gentle son who can hardly hurt a fly was attacked and killed right in his own room. “God shall avenge this evil. This is my son who I hope would give me a befitting burial when God decides to call me back home,” the bereaved Madam Fester lamented. It was gathered that the deceased, who is also called ‘Dogo’ due to his tall frame, died while waiting to be treated at the Prize Medical Centre. “Operators of the Prize Medical Centre demanded for a police report before treatment could be given in view of the bullet/gun wounds. Swiftly, Chief Arodu’s relations went to lodge a formal complaint at the Egi Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police located at Obite, just about a kilometre away. “Before police arrived at the clinic to ascertain the situation, Chief Innocent Arodu, 68, had given up the ghost. He was shot on the chest, shoulder, lower abdomen and other parts of his body, leaving him with very slim chance of survival,” an eyewitness told Southern City News. Also, the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Gold Arodu, described her husband as a man of peace, who had no problem with anyone anywhere. She said she was still at a loss over the reason behind the action of her husband’s assailants. A source stated that the killing of Arodu might not be unconnected with community-related issues.