The death of one Ocheze Ogbonna, a staff of Inner Galaxy Steel Company, Umuahala-Obuzor Asa, in Ukwa West council area of Abia State, has sparked outrage in the area following reports that her Chinese boss was responsible for her demise.
Ocheze, a female crane operator in the company was allegedly pushed down from the height after she rejected his sexual overtures.
He death sparked a protest by the youths of the community and they barricaded the gates, insisting that they wont leave until justice was done over the death of the crane operator. The protesting youths were later dispersed by soldiers guarding the steel company.
It was alleged that some of the protesting youths were shot and beaten up by soldiers.
“The Chinese people at Inner Galaxy company are dehumanizing Nigerians. The chinese manager pushed Ocheze out of the crane. She fell and hit her head on the hard surface and died.
We want justice done, our sister cannot die in vain, the government must investigate the activities of the chinese people at Inner Galaxy company. The soldiers guarding the company are shooting at us for protesting the death of our sister.They are subjecting Nigerians to much suffering. Enough is enough,” vanguard quoted one of the protesting youths to have said.
Reacting to the incident, the Member representing Ukwa West and Ukwa East federal constituency, Hon Chris Nkwonta, said the death is very condemnable while describing the action of the Chinese expatriate as wicked.
“Miss Ocheze Ogbonna’s death orchestrated by a Chinese expatriate is a gross abuse of the rules of engagement and a total disregard for the sanctity of human life and an affront on their host community, Umuahala-Obuzor and the peace loving people of Ukwa West Local Government Area.
“This barbaric act once again calls to mind the incessant calls by well-meaning Nigerians that the Chinese expatriates operating in Nigeria do not have regard for human lives and must be called to order immediately to avert the breakdown of law and order.
“I strongly condemn the dastardly act and brutal killing of late Miss Ocheze Ogbonna by the Chinese expatriate who has been identified as Mr Power.
“I hereby call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, the Honourable Minister of State, Labour and Productivity, Hon Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to ensure that the culprit, who I understand is being shielded by the security agents, is brought to book and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the lawmaker said in a statement.
