Who raped and murdered Uwaila Omozuwa inside her local Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG? This is the mystery the Nigerian people expects the security agencies to unravel.
Outrage continue to trail the gruesome murder from government, church leaders and celebrities including Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of RCCG and Don Jazzy, chief executive of Mavin Records.
The murder has reignited conversations about the subject of rape across the country and beyond.
Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki has ordered immediate investigation into the alleged rape and murder of the 100-level Microbiology student of University of Benin, UNIBEN.
Omozuwa died at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, after she was beaten and raped inside her local church where she was reading.
She reportedly goes to read everyday at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Edo Province 10, Ikpoba Hill. But a yet to be identified person(s) raped and hit her with a fire extinguisher on Wednesday May 27, 2020.
“I have ordered the Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the death of Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100-level student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).”
Obaseki said in a post on his Twitter page.
He added that, “The @PoliceNG has been mandated to identify, arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable in her death. The Violence Against Persons (VAP) Law is in effect in our state.
“Using this law, we would ensure to investigate what exactly transpired and deal decisively with those found complicit in the dastardly act, whoever they might be.”
The VAP Law, signed in February 2019, prescribes life imprisonment for rapists among other provisions.
The Reactions
Pastor Enoch Adeboye is the general overseer of RCCG and he reacted to the incident on his verified Twitter page. He commiserated with the family of Uwa while condemning the murderous act.
He said the church has began investigation into the case and would cooperate with the Nigeria Police to get justice for the victim.
“All I can do at this time is to pray for the family of Omozuwa and do everything possible, working with relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators to book.
“I and members of my Family condemn this act strongly and urge everyone to stay calm as we are already looking into the matter and cooperating with the police to establish the facts of the shocking incident. #justiceforuwa,”
Apostle Johnson Suleiman of Omega Ministries said in a tweet “I strongly condemn the gruesome killing of Vera Uwaila, a 100 level microbiology student of our great uniben. Dastardly as it is, we are yet to hear of any arrest. May God give her parents fortitude to bear the loss. Justice must be served as she was just 22yrs old.#justiceforuwa.
“I just spoke with the governor, the death of Vera Uwaila won’t be swept under the carpet. If someone could have the nerve to come kill a girl inside the church, then there would be consequences. If there are mad men, there are psychiatric doctors.”
Mavin Producer, Don Jazzy and popular Nigerian Singer, Tiwa Savage, lamented over the recent killings and happenings in Nigeria.
Don Jazzy took to his Twitter handle to call for justice for Uwa. “Not again! Not again! I’m really speechless. Uwa deserves justice and Men should do better.”
Tiwa said on her Twitter handle that Nigerians were tired of complaining about the same thing for years without no solution.
“#WeAreTired of senseless killings, lorries falling on road and killing passengers, ACs catching fire and burning houses, young girls getting raped, young boys killed by SARS no jobs for graduates.
“Please add your own frustration because my list is long. We are tired of saying the same thing our parents, grand parents, great grand parents have been saying about Nigeria.”
The Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN, Lilian Salami, said that inflicting such pain on any family in this era of COVID-19 pandemic is a wicked act.
The Vice-Chancellor said the University’s management has sent a delegation to commiserate with the bereaved family and advised students of the institution to be careful of the company they keep and the places they visited. This sounded like the vice chancellor blamed the dead for allegedly keeping bad company.
Benedicta Ehanire, UNIBEN’s Public Relations Officer gave the statement on behalf of the vice chancellor.
