The Abia State Government has pledged to launch a comprehensive investigation into the tragic death of Emmanuel Onyeomereneche, an Abia born Cadet Officer, who was discovered lifeless in the swimming pool of Hotel Royal Damgrate Umuahia.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander Macdonald Uba (Rtd.), gave the assurance while addressing the aggrieved Community members of Okwuta-Ibeku, Umuahia North LGA, who came to protest the death of the deceased who is their son.
The protesters, dressed in all black attire with placards, chanted sorrowful songs round the city of Umuahia.
Recall that the traffic incident which occurred on Tuesday last week, also claimed the life of one James Etubi, the hotels food and beverage manager who was allegedly tortured to death by Soldiers from the Army Base in Umuahia.
Expressing deep regret over the incident, Navy Commander Uba while sympathizing with the family of the deceased, assured the Community that through investigations would be carried out to uncover the circumstances surrounding Onyeomereneche’s demise.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that justice prevails, and noted that whoever was found responsible would be made to face the full weight of the law.
Navy Commander Uba, who acknowledged the gravity of the situation, described the incident as unfortunate and promised to bring the matter to the knowledge of the Governor.
He commended the protesters for not taking laws into their hands and urged them to continue to remain law abiding, assuring that the outcome of the investigation would be made known to them as investigation progresses.
“It is unfortunate that a Cadet Officer of the Nigeria Defence Academy was found dead in a swimming pool in Damgrate. We know how much it takes the Federal Government to train one cadet officer.
“We have listened to your complaints. And we will take measures to brief His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State on the matter. Whatever has happened has happened.
“We leave it to God but proper investigation will be carried out to ensure that if there were perpetrators of this act, it will be unraveled.
“This incident has caused other ripple effects thereafter. We will thoroughly investigate the matter, at the end of the day justice will be served.
“I know how you feel. I was once a cadet, and I know how it would have been for my village if something like this happened.
“I enjoin you to remain law abiding until we revert the outcome of the investigations, including the death of the manager of the hotel. We will investigate all these things and get back to you”, Navy Captain Uba said.
In their speeches earlier, the Public Relations Officer of Okwuta -Isieke Autonomous Community, Mr. Chibuzor Onwukamuche, head of the Onyeomerneche family, Prince James Onyeomereneche and the woman leader, Mrs. Happiness Ebere said that they came to register their grievances to the Governor over the death of their son, who would have been commissioned by July this year.
They said that they do not believe that Mr. Emmanuel Onyeomereneche with his training as an upcoming Naval Officer could have drowned in an ordinary swimming pool.
The accused the friend of the deceased, one Valentine Okpechi and the hotel management for complacency and regretted that the death of their son is a huge loss to the entire community.
