Protest, Tuesday, rocked Umuahia, Abia State capital, as the Okwuta Ibeku kinsmen of the Air Force cadet, Emmanuel Onyemereche, who allegedly drowned in a swimming pool of Damgrete Hotel Umuahia, last week, demanded justice for their deceased son.
The protesters who were dressed in black, chanting sorrowful songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions, marched through major streets before converging at the entrance gate to Government House Umuahia,
The protesters, comprising of youths, men and women, demanded immediate and thorough investigation to unravel what actually happened to their son, adding that they were not convinced with the various versions of how he allegedly died.
Speaking, the Public Relations Officer of Okwuta -Isieke Autonomous Community, Mr Chibuzor Onwukamuche and Head of the family, Prince James Onyeomereneche, said that they came to register their grievances to the Governor over the demise of their son who would have been commissioned by July this year.
They said that they did not believe that the deceased with his training as an upcoming Naval Officer could have drowned in an ordinary swimming pool and accused the deceased’s friend, one Valentine Okpechi and the hotel Management of complicity.
Responding, Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti, expressed sadness over the incident and vowed that the Government would not allow the matter be swept under the carpet.
The Governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Navy Commander Macdonald Uba (Rtd.), assured that investigations would be thoroughly carried out to unravel the cause of his death.
Recall that the owner of the hotel, Dr Steve Ihedigbo, had also last Saturday, demanded justice for the death of his Food and Beverage Manager, James Etubi, who was also allegedly tortured to death by soldiers at Army base in Umuahia.
MAGIC FM correspondent, Godwin Ike reports that the Army was said to have allegedly invited the late Etubi and other staff of the hotel for interrogation over the death of the Air Force cadet, and afterwards subjected them to torture, leading to the death of the 48-year old who was recruited barely a week.
Meanwhile, the Army Authorities in a statement by its Spokesman, Major Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu had since condemned the unprofessional conduct of the soldiers who allegedly tortured the hotel staff to death.