A broadcast journalist with the Independent Television and Radio, Hillary Nosa Odia, has lost his life to suspected cultists around 2nd East Circular, Benin City, Edo State capital on Christmas Eve.
A colleague of the deceased said the late Odia left the office at about 4pm on Sunday while the news of his death reached the ITV premises later in the night to the shock of those who worked with him that day.
The colleague said that the killing was due to cult clashes around Esigie area, off East Circular Road. He said the deceased’s brother was also murdered in a similar way last year, adding that three people were also shot on the day Odia was killed.
He described the late broadcaster as cheerful, hardworking and easy to work with while calling on the police to solve his death and arrest the suspects.
The source said, “The late Odia closed from work at 4pm on December 24. Sadly, we heard of his death around Esigie hours later and it was a very big shock to the staff of the ITV.
“His brother was also murdered in a similar way last year and I heard that the December 24 killing was due to cult clashes. He was a cheerful person, easy to work with, hardworking. I hope the police will arrest his killers soon.
“I also heard that he was trying to leave his own house at Upper Mission Extension and rent an apartment along Airport Road, while he also wrote an exam on Saturday morning at Edo State Polytechnic in Usen, where he was taking a course,” the source added.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council has sympathised with the management and staff of ITV over the death of Odia.
A statement signed by the Chairman of the NUJ in Edo State, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, and the Secretary, Andy Egbon, said the union urged security agencies in the state, especially the Nigeria Police to unravel the circumstances surrounding Odia’s murder.
The statement prayed for the rest of the soul of the fallen colleague and urged his family to take comfort in the fact that Odia would be remembered on the positive side of history.
The statement also charged journalists to investigate the incident of Odia‘s death and as well ensure proper reportage of the killing.
The PPRO of the Edo State Police Command, Chidiebube Nwabuzor, confirmed the killing but said information was scanty at this time, promising to give details of the incident on Tuesday.
When asked if he knew whether the deceased had reported a threat to his life, he said he wouldn’t know as there were many cases handled by the men of the command daily.
He added: “I can confirm that the killing took place. Information is scanty now but details will be revealed tomorrow after preliminary investigation.”