Patience Leonard, PBA Journalism MenteePeoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has condemned the gruesome murder of Alika Ogochukwu, a Nigerian vendor based in Italy.
In a statement posted on his official Twitter handle, Atiku stated that the murder of the Nigerian stands condemned as everyone’s life is precious.
“The life of every Nigerian, at home and abroad, is precious and deserves to be protected,” Atiku stated.
He commended the Nigerian Embassy for its collaboration with Italian authorities to ensure that due justice was done on the matter.
The Nigerian Embassy in Rome had earlier released a statement narrating the ordeal. Ambassador Mfawa Abam in the statement said “The attention of the Embassy has been drawn to the brutal murder of Alika Ogochukwu.
“A 39-year-old Nigerian citizen was beaten to death by an Italian man on Friday 29th July, 2022, in Civitanova Marche city, located in the Province of Macerata, Marche Region of Italy.
“The incident occurred on a busy street, in front of shocked onlookers. Some of whom made videos of the attack, with little or no attempt to prevent it.”
“His Excellency has directed the provision of immediate consular assistance as appropriate.
“The Embassy is currently collaborating with relevant Italian authorities to ensure justice is served and to provide succour to the family of the deceased,” the statement said.
“His Excellency wishes to reassure Nigerians in Italy that citizen’s diplomacy remained the key thrust of his administration and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all Nigerians in Italy receive timely, efficient and professional consular services,” the statement added.
In a video footage that went viral, an Italian was spotted brutally beating the physically challenged Nigerian, who was on crutches.
However, no attempts were made by the onlookers to salvage the situation. Instead, some were making videos of the incident.
The unnamed attacker was reported to have been arrested by the police.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a video post via her Twitter handle on Wednesday morning said, “the culprit has been arrested by the Italian police. As I speak with you, the Nigerian embassy and the Italian authorities are holding a series of meetings and Alika has a lawyer who will be working with the Nigerian mission and ensure justice is served in this case.”
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