The mother of a 27-year-old man, Onyekachi Ugiri, who tragically lost his life when struck by a stray bullet during a recent protest against the planned impeachment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is now imploring for help and justice. Mrs. Callister Ugiri, a resident of Borokiri in the old Port Harcourt township, has made a desperate plea to Governor Fubara and the local authorities to provide assistance and transparency in the aftermath of her son’s death.
In a heartfelt interview with the press on Friday in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Ugiri revealed her ongoing anguish, stating that she had been tirelessly searching for her son since he and a friend ventured out to join the protest amidst the turmoil surrounding the State Assembly crisis. Her relentless quest for answers and closure took an emotional toll as she had not received any information regarding his whereabouts.
Tragically, Mrs. Ugiri later confirmed her son’s untimely passing after identifying his lifeless body in a video that was brought to her attention. The video unveiled the heart-wrenching truth about her son’s fate.
Recalling the events leading to her son’s tragic end, Mrs. Ugiri recounted, “On Tuesday, I heard that our neighbor, Chiwedu, came to the house to take my son to join the protest in support of the governor. In the night, I waited anxiously but did not see my son. Worried, I asked my daughter about her brother’s whereabouts. She tearfully informed me that our neighbor, Chiwendu, had taken her brother to the protest in support of the governor.”
The grieving mother continued, “On Wednesday, Chiwendu returned and relayed the devastating news that he had taken my son to the protest, and during the chaos, as the police began firing bullets, a stray bullet tragically struck my son, Onyekachi, in the head. My son fled and sought refuge in a nearby building, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries. Chiwendu managed to escape, while others were apprehended by the authorities.”
The loss of Onyekachi Ugiri has left his family and community in mourning, and the circumstances surrounding his death have raised important questions about safety and accountability during public demonstrations.
