Gruesome murder: Why gunmen killed Abak pastor
As Paramount Ruler, Councillor condemn act
The testimony of sympathisers may have help police unravel the puzzle surrounding the gruesome murder of an Abak cleric, Rev Ezekiel Anyiang.
The serene village of Ibiakpan No. 1, Otoro Clan in Abak Local Government Area was thrown into mourning on Tuesday, 2nd February, 2021 as the result of the gruesome murder of Rev. Ezekiel Anyiang by unknown gunmen.
Late Rev. Ezekiel Anyiang was reportedly shot dead in his house at about 9 pm as police launched investigation into the gruesome murder.
But one of the sympathisers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, hinted that the murder may not be unconnected with the jungle justice involving a robber after a failed attempt to snatch a motorcycle belonging to the son of the deceased, Kingsley Ezekiel Anyiang.
He recalled that sometime ago, two armed robbers attempted to snatch Kingsley’s motor-cycle, but in the process, one was caught and roasted while the other one escaped.
He noted that it may be as a result of killing one of them that the armed robbers came back to look for Kingsley and appealed to security agencies to protect the family, especially Kingsley.
When newsmen visited the compound on Wednesday morning, scores of sympathizers were seen trooping in to condole with the family on the sad incident.
Narrating the story, the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Elizabeth Ezekiel who was all in tears, said it was around 9 pm that they heard somebody knocking on the door.
According to Mrs. Ezekiel, she refused to open the door, but peeped through the window to see somebody wearing T-shirt.
“On hearing the sound, my husband asked me why don’t you open for your son, hoping that it was one of our children.
He rushed to the door and opened it only to see a strange face entering the house
and asked where is king” referring to our son Kingsley. When my husband asked
what was the matter and who he was, he shot him on the head and went away with
his phone while another person was waiting for him outside with a motor-cycle”,
she narrated.
Speaking on the incident, the Paramount Ruler of Abak, Okuku Saviour Sylvester Udofia (JP) strongly condemned the act, saying that the matter has been reported to the police.
Okuku Udofia who described the act as barbaric, sympathized with the family and
called on the people of the village to remain calm, assuring that security operatives
will investigate the matter.
On her part, the Councilor representing Otoro Ward 3 in Abak Legislative Council,
Hon. Angela Ekong described the murder of the man of God as inhumane, sad and
unfortunate.
Hon. Ekong who visited the compound to sympathize with the family, prayed God
to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and members of the family the
fortitude to bear the loss.
The Councilor expressed the hope that security operatives would fish out the
perpetrators of the dastardly act.
