The body of Gerald Okechukwu Igwe, one of the four policemen killed at the May 25 Iwollo, Ezeagu Police Station attack was, on Monday, laid to rest at his Ogui village, Eke, Udi local government area of Enugu State amidst tears from family members and sympathisers.
In his tribute, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, described the death of the young Igwe as shocking, sad and pitiable.
Condoling the family and sympathisers at the funeral, Ezeilo said: “The reason we felt so bad is that he died in active service. That’s why his Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, asked me to make sure I represent him, the entire Enugu state government and the entire Enugu state people. If you look around, you will see the chairman of Ezeagu local government area, where the incident took place and other Ezeagu people here”.
She described the killing of the policeman as sad, saying, “It is very painful, he was a very young person. I went and saw his young wife and his children. It’s very, very pitiable. ”
She announced that the governor has assured that all his entitlements and benefits would be paid.
She condoled the Igwe family, people of Enugu State and the federal government for the loss.
Former Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State Police Command and national coordinator of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), ASP Ebere Amaraaizu, described the late Gerald as a brother and a friend.
“I brought him up, I recruited him. He was obedient and hard working. We will miss him”, he said.
In his vote of thanks, the elder brother of the deceased, Charles Igwenu, thanked Ugwuanyi, Mrs Ezeilo and the state government for the honour done to their brother.
He said that the state government’s slogan, “Enugu State is in the hands of God”, is true and he believed so much in it.
“Enugu State is in the hands of God. For a whole Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor to visit us, recognise our loneliness , it’s amazing. I thought the people the governor attends their funeral were only the prominent people but today, the governor has shown us that he attends the funeral of the downtrodden. We thank you deputy, we thank you ,the governor, we greet the people of Enugu state, we greet all our people for their good work.
” Enugu State will continue to progress, It’s unfortunate that what happened wanted to soil the image of Enugu state”, he said.
