Imo CP
A middle aged man, Mr Ikechukwu Oforleta from Amaike in Orlu LGA of Imo State yesterday killed his son, claiming that his action was in self defence of an attack by his son. He said that his son had pursued him in the morning of yesterday, attempting to cut off his head but he pushed him down and used the same knife to cut him and he died instantly.
According to a family source, the father of the deceased deals in hard drugs and his slain son,who was simply identified as Oluebube is said to have been one of the major patronizers of the drugs and probably had taken the drugs before the incident, implying that both may have acted under the influence of hard drug.
The source confirmed that the deceased had often threatened to kill his father after taking hard drugs but made real his threat yesterday when he took the man unawares but luckily for the father, he managed to overpower him and snatched the cutlass from him, only to slash the throat.
When contacted, the traditional ruler of Amaike, HRH Eze Agbanyim confirmed the development. According to him, the news came to him as a rude shock.
An eye witness account said that the incident happened in the early hours of yesterday while people were getting ready for work. He disclosed also that the matter has been reported to the police and the suspect arrested while the corpse has been deposited in the mortuary.
Another source who appeared very furious over the ugly development accused the community leaders of not doing much to stop the high intake of hard drugs and sales in the community adding that the community is fast becoming a safe haven for hoodlums who patronize Indian hemp. He said, “if nothing is done now, our unborn children will grow to accept such life style is normal. How do you explain a situation where virtually every young person in this town appears disinterested in attending school?”.
There have been cases of stealing of school desks, furniture and other reading materials in a neighboring school, Ojike Memorial Secondary School, Orlu of which sources accused a gang of young boys who mainly patronize this hard drugs cartel of being perpetrators of these devilish acts.
They revealed that at present, the students of Ojike Memorial Secondary school Orlu sit on bare floors to learn because on daily basis, these hoodlums invaded the school premises to steal students writing desks and even break into the principal office to steal cash and other items.
There are other cases of rape and molestation of students who fail to part with money at close of school. Curiously, this case of bloodshed is coming on the heels of similar gory tales including the slaughter and cremation of a retired General who arrived home to build a house for his only son at 80.
Effort to reach the IPO handling the matter at Orlu divisional police station was unsuccessful.
