Hundreds of women from the Nwang-Ekpugrinya community in Cross River State took to the streets on Monday to protest the alleged killing of a 26-year-old woman, Lucy Morshie, by her lover. The protest, which started in the community and later moved to the Divisional Police Station in Ogoja, was sparked by the women's demand for the release of the suspect, Malime Ejo, 35, who is in police custody.
According to the Police Force in Cross River, the victim was killed on Saturday at a farm in Nwang Village, Ekajuk, in Ogoja. The police stated that the suspect allegedly took the victim to a nearby stream close to the farm, where he attacked her, leading to her death. The police immediately visited the scene, apprehended the suspect, and rescued him from a mob of angry youths.
The victim's remains are yet to be deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary in Ogoja as arrangements are ongoing. The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. Security personnel, including soldiers, have been deployed to the area to restore calm following the protest, which escalated into tension.
The protesters are demanding that the suspect be released to them. The police have assured that the suspect is in custody for his safety pending ongoing investigation.
The police's handling of the case has left many questions unanswered. The decision to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department raises concerns about the police's ability to conduct a thorough investigation. The protesters' demand for the release of the suspect is a stark reminder of the community's distrust in the police. The deployment of security personnel to the area may provide temporary calm, but it does not address the underlying issues. The case highlights the need for a more effective and transparent justice system in Cross River State.
