. Reps Deputy Speaker condemns act 

By Steve Oko 

UMUAHIA – The Abia State Police Command, said it has launched investigation into the alleged beheading of a couple, Mr Jacob Udo and Mrs Comfort Udo, at Isiala Autonomous Community in Bende Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were reportedly slaughtered Tuesday night by unidentified assailants who dismembered their bodies after beheading them in their apartment.

Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chilaka in a  statement Thursday, confirmed the incident and said investigation had commenced to unravel those behind the dastardly act.

She wrote:”Yes, we received such report yesterday at Bende Divisional Headquarters. The crime scene has been visited, exhibits recovered. Bodies (of the victims have been) deposited at the mortuary, and investigation is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker, and member representing Bende federal constituency at the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has strongly condemned “the horrific and senseless killing”.

The couple hailed from Itumbuzor, an agrarian community in the same Bende LGA, but were residing inside Bende town.

The Deputy Speaker who represents Bende federal constituency, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Levinus Nwabughiogu, expressed disgust over the barbaric incident.

“This heinous act of violence is unacceptable and violates the fundamental human right to life”, the statement read in part.

The Deputy Speaker said  “no cause or grievance justifies such brutal and inhumane and dastardly act.”

Hon. Kalu condoled with the victims’ families, while calling on the state government and the law enforcement agencies to conduct thorough investigation with the aim of apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

He, however, called for calm and restraints amongst the communities in the constituency, cautioning against reprisal attacks. 

The Deputy Speaker assured that the authorities would do the needful to ensure that the killers are found and punished for their crime.