Anguish. Pains. Fear. That is mood of the people Aji community in Igbo-Eze North local government area of Enugu state as a 21 year old boy who was allegedly murdered by self-acclaimed cultists was laid to rest today.
Mr. Agbo Isaiah Oluchukwu was attending the functions of Block Rosary Crusade and Altar boys Association at Immaculate Heart Parish, Aji, Enugu-Ezike on October 14, 2022 when he was allegedly stabbed to death by cult boys who invaded the church premises that fateful day.
Narrating the ugly incident that led to the death of Mr. Agbo, WITHIN NIGERIA source, Mr. Philip Kelechi, explained that”the deceased was a strong member of Altar boys who is from Immaculate Heart Parish Aji, Enugu Ezike in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria.
“He was also a devoted member of Block Rosary Crusade and as a matter of fact, he was one of the organizers of Block Rosary in Aji Deanery of Nsukka Catholic Diocese.
He was also a member of Block Rosary Crusade Brigade of Guards (BRCBG), which is a voluntary paramilitary of Block Rosary Crusade.
“He was the deanery 2IC which means 2nd in command and as the deanery commandant was not around he was acting as one.
“Some of them, including Isaiah were available for the retreat of Aji Deanery Block Rosary Crusade (BRC) which was scheduled to take place from October 14th to 16th, 2022, at St Joseph’s Parish Umuogbo-Agu.
“On the day of arrival which was 14th October, 2022, Isaiah never knew he will not be returning back to his poor mother alive.
“The members of BRC assembled to start their prayer program, and around 8pm when they were having their opening Rosary procession, two boys from the hosting community came but the men maning the gate could not permit them inside because they were with no tag which is the evidence that identify one as a member of the Block Rosary Crusade. They rather told the boys that if they wish to join the program they have to get their tag, but the two boys bluntly refused to do so saying that they are the owners of the territory with some cultic slangs like “we are JBC” which only them know the meaning. So the men at the gate which are BRCBG members refused to let them in.”
Narrating further, our source stated that “the self acclaimed cultic boys went away and returned around 11:30pm to 12am with more boys (about 10 or 12 of them) and started banging on the gate asking the brigadiers to open the gate but they refused.
“They broke down the gate and invaded them with some weapons like dagger, plank, 2b2 wood and so on, trying to enter inside the church where the BRC children were praying. It was at this critical moment that the young Isaiah and other BRCBG members had to risk their own lives without arms in defense of the children praying inside the church.
“Some of the brigadiers who risked their lives to protect the children, were severely injured; some stabbed but Isaiah who was there as the commander took all he had to protect his people and as he was fatally injured.He persisted in the battle in pains untill he ensured that those intruders were forced out from the premises at the sight of the parish priest.
“As wounded Isaiah could no longer bear the internal injuries sustained, he was rushed to Bishop shanahan hospital Enugu Ezike but was referred to Nsukka from where he was further referred to University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu and on their way to Enugu, Isaiah gave up the ghost”
Asked if there has been arrest of any suspect, our source revealed that ” no suspect has been arrested since the ugly incident occurred. That’s why we are calling on the Inspector General of police and other relevant agencies to expedite action and see that the deceased, late Mr. Isaiah Agbo gets justice in this unfortunate incident.”