By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Several months after the death of a young man allegedly shot by security operatives in Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, hundreds of youths from the community on Thursday trooped out in large numbers to honour his memory and bid him a final farewell.
The deceased, Chinyeaka Ike, popularly known as Akidi, was said to be the only son of his family.
The farewell demonstration, which was captured in videos currently circulating on social media, showed scores of youths moving and driving through major roads and strategic locations within the community in what has been described as a solemn but emotionally charged demonstration of grief, solidarity and remembrance.
Unlike the protests that earlier followed the incident in April, the latest outing appeared to be more of a farewell procession, as the rampaging youths were seen roughly driving motorcycles, tricycles and other vehicles around the community, moving from one location to another with banners and posters bearing photographs of the deceased as they paid tribute to the late youth and expressed their lingering pain over the incident.
According to a voice heard in one of the videos, the remains of the deceased had remained in the mortuary since the incident occurred in April, following assurances by the authorities that investigations would be conducted into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The speaker, however, lamented that several months later, neither the family nor members of the community had received any information regarding the outcome of the investigation.
He added that the prolonged silence eventually compelled the bereaved family and the community to proceed with the burial rites instead of leaving the deceased indefinitely in the mortuary.
Recall that the incident that claimed Akidi’s life had caused outrage in the community in April after reports emerged that he was allegedly struck by a bullet fired during an operation involving security personnel.
According to reports, the victim was standing in front of his shop by the roadside with his wife on that fateful day when the fatal incident occurred. It was gathered that the deceased was the only son of his parents while his wife was heavily pregnant with their first child.
The incident triggered condemnation, protest and other forms of demonstrations within the community, with the residents calling for justice and demanding greater accountability from security agencies operating in the state.
Although the state government and the police reportedly appealed for calm and promised to investigate the incident, the outcome of the exercise has yet to be made public till date.
Thursday’s procession, however, showed the depth of grief still felt by the people of Mgbakwu, who came together not only to mourn their departed brother but also to celebrate his memory, pay tribute to him, and give him what they described as a befitting farewell.
Watch the video of the demonstration below:
