By Anthony Iwuoma
The family of Rev. Thompson Aguguom has nothing but sorrow and tears to contend with since the gruesome murder of the cleric by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Oyo State some four months ago.
What began like April Fool joke on April 1, this year,when the Man of God left Etiti in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State on a condolence visit to Oyo State, has since left sour taste in the mouth of the grieving family.
Rev. Aguguom had traveled to the South-west state alongside four others, Bishop David Nwachukwu, Rev. Anyegbu Herbert, Rev. J Ojo and Elder Vitus Nwankwo, to condole the family of the late Rev. Dr. A.Obed, the presiding Pastor of Glory Tabernacle Inc., Bodija, Ashi Junction, Ibadan, Oyo State.
After condoling with Dr. Mrs. Chinyere Obed, widow of the bishop who died in London, the clerics embarked on their homeward journey on Wednesday, April 3. Unfortunately, they fell into the hands of kidnappers suspected to be herdsmenat about 7.25am, at IbusoGboro Village in Oluyole LGA, along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, and taken inside the forest.
The incident was promptly reported at Idi Ayunre Divisional Police Station, which quickly came to the scene and rescued three of the victims, leaving Rev. Aguguom. The victims were later transferred to the anti-kidnapping unit of the Oyo State Command Headquarters, Ibadan, where they made their statements. They were consequently released to go while the police intensified the search for Rev. Aguguom.
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However, after about two months of searching with combined team of locals and the police, Rev. Aguguom’ s dead body was found.
The body is yet to be released to his family for burial, as autopsy is yet ongoing.
Distressed relations of deceased in Imo State are yet to come to terms with the loss of their brother, especially his immediate family. The widow is currently undergoing excruciating agony, which was compounded by poverty. She is a teacher, residing in Aba, Abia State and having not been paid for several months running, taking care of their four little children alone has become extreme burden too much for her to bear.
That is why the family is calling on the state and federal governments to come to their aid.
Rev. Aguguom’s kinsmen are calling on the government not only to fish out his killers but also to support his family to surmount the difficulty his loss has caused them.
Speaking on behalf of Umuezeala Nsu Autonomous Community and their traditional ruler, Eze Evaristus Iwuji,Ogu-ugu 1, the President General, Uzoma Chukwu, said nothing but government bringing the murderers to book and extending the milk of human kindness to the widow of the clergyman would assuage their anger.
Meanwhile the law firm of G. N. Nwokeiwu &co. has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, on the matter.
