The battle between Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo, father of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, and a royal family over the Obi of
Ogwashi-Uku throne, has resulted in the death of a 15-year-old
Ogwashi-Uku prince identified as Pentty Sunday Chukwu.
He and two others were shot by soldiers allegedly led by a captain of
the Nigerian Army. The shooting incident occurred at Ogwashi-Uku during
the celebration of the community’s new yam festival last weekend.
According to the police spokesman, the shooting “was done by the
army, led by a Captain.” He, however, did not disclose the name of the
Army Captain. He said the army were handling the issue, adding that when
“they are through, they will hand over to the police for further
investigation.”
The Umudei Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local
Government Area of Delta State, while demanding to know the whereabouts
of their sons, alleged that the victims were shot by soldiers who also
took them away to an unknown destination.
The corpse of Pentty Sunday Chukwu is yet to be recovered by
relatives of the deceased. Also missing from the community are two other
princes, namely, Kingsley Udeh, 22, and Bollus Izedunor, 23, who
sustained bullet wounds.
According to the family’s secretary, Anthony Nti, the uniformed men
allegedly stormed the palace where the victims were seated and opened
fire on them unprovoked, killing one
person in the process and injuring two others who had scampered for
safety. He urged the relevant authorities to probe the circumstances
that led to the invasion of the palace by uniformed men and the shooting
that resulted in the casualties.
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