Sad Aftermath to the NUJ Abeokuta National Conference
HOW JOURNALIST LOST HIS LIFE TO ARMED ROBBERS AFTER DELEGATES CONFERENCE
The Vice-Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).Ebonyi State Chapter, Samuel Nweke has been killed when the vehicle he was travelling with other colleagues ran into a robbery operation along Nkalagu axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.
The armed robbers intercepted the vehicle conveying the delegates back home after, the National Conference of the union held in Abeokuta, and ordered them to lie down on the expressway.
Ironically, a vehicle on high speed ran over them and killed Nweke on the spot, leaving others to sustain various degrees of injuries, and later rushed to Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where as at the press time receiving treatment.
The State Governor David Umahi in reaction to the sad development expressed shock, describing the journalist’s death as tragic and called for full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his demise.
The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, described the deceased as a great journalist and believer in his administration’s resolve to develop all sectors of the state economy simultaneously using mass media as vehicle for social engineering.
However, the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Zone C, has declared a one week period of mourning for the slain journalist, lamenting the loss of their colleagues, who was on official duty when the sad incident occurred.
A statement signed by the Vice-President of the Zone, Comrade Petrus Obi and Comrade Kenneth Ofoma (Secretary), said the union received with shock and pain, the news of the death
‘We received with shock and pain in our hearts, the news of the tragic loss to the cold hand of death, of one of our vibrant members and Vice Chairman of Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade (Sir) Sam Nweke’.
‘Nweke died in the hands of the wicked men of the darkness, armed robbers, who blocked the bus that Ebonyi contingents were traveling back with after the just concluded 6th triennial delegates conference of NUJ at Abeokuta, Ogun state between 3rd to 5th October, 2018’,the statement explained.
The statement added, ‘reports reaching us indicate that Nweke was hit by another vehicle during ensuing melee after armed robbers ordered him to lie down during robbery operations.This is indeed a sad moment for NUJ family, particularly Zone C after streaks of victories, with the emergence of Comrade Chris Isiguzo, Comrade Petrus Obi and Comrade Kenneth Ofoma, as National President, Vice President Zone C and Secretary Zone C respectively, after the conference’.
‘We there express our deep condolences to the immediate family of Sam Nweke, Ebonyi State Council of NUJ and entire NUJ family in Nigeria.We equally express our sympathies to other colleagues wounded in the unfortunate incident, and wish them quick healing injuries.We call on security agencies to do the needful by apprehending these hoodlums and bringing them to book’.
‘As a mark of respect, NUJ Zone C hereby declares a week-long mourning period for our departed colleague, Nweke, starting from today. Members are expected to wear black arm bands throughout the period of mourning. May the soul of Comrade Sam Nweke and other faithful departed rest in peace, Amen!’, the statement added
