The people of Abuagbor community in Bekwarra local government area of Cross River state have cried out over the brutal murder of their daughter, a 21-year-old Regina Odide, killed en-route her village from Abuja for the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Blueprint learnt that the young woman had left Abuja, where she resided, to Bakwarra last week for the celebrations only to meet her untimely death allegedly in the hands of an Okada rider along the Abuagbor axis.
In a release made available to Blueprint in Calabar, and signed on behalf of the community by Hon. Prince Edward Ajang, Member representing Bekwarra, Cross River State House of Assembly, the people called on the law enforcement agencies to unravel circumstances which led to Regina’s murder.
The release, which was titled ‘Gruesome Murder of Miss Regina U. Odide,’ read in part: “Regina, after arriving Bekwarra on Thursday, 22nd December 2022, late night on a journey from Abuja, fell into the hands of a suspecting Okada rider who she had boarded to drop her in Abuagbor under Nyanya Ward.
“Unfortunately, Miss Regina Uke Odide was never heard of again until about four to five days later as she went missing and efforts from then to find her were seeming unyielding.
“Very sadly, after about a week already, Miss Regina’s corpse was now found somewhere around Ugboro and Ijibor Community axis in the same Bekwarra Local Government Area.
“Until this moment, information on what really transpired from that very time, leading to her death is yet to be ascertained with clarity.
“I’m saddened by this ugly incident which has put the victim’s family, friends and indeed the entire Bekwarra Nation to sorrow at this very supposed time of merry for another new year.
“I condemn in very clear terms this act of killing and such other ugly incidents that inflicts pains on our people and brings about hostility in the once peaceful and hospitable Bekwarra LGA.
“I so register my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and indeed the entire Bekwarra over the loss of Miss Regina Odide while praying the perpetrators of this ugly act when found, be brought to face the full wrath of the law to avoid any such occurrence again.
“I urge security agencies to carry out thorough investigation into the issues and make relevant information available. Members of the public are also encouraged to assist and make known to security agencies any useful information.”
Spokesman for the State Police Command, Irene Ugbo, could not be reached for response as her phone lines didn’t connect.
