In what can be described as Black Sunday, the murder of Iniubong Umoren threw the Nigerian social media sphere into mourning yesterday.
On Sunday, a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of Akwa Ibom State, Odiko Macdon, confirmed that Umoren had been lured by one Uduak Frank Akpan, 20, to his residence under the guise of a job offer, after which he raped, killed, and buried the graduate.
The statement revealed that Akpan had been arrested and had confessed to raping and murdering the victim.
Umoren was declared missing on Thursday while attending the inexistent job interview in Akwa Ibom. Many Nigerian social media users rallied together to bring her disappearance to the notice of authorities while trending the #FindHinnyHumoren hashtag.
Umoren, a fresh graduate of the University of Uyo tweeted on Tuesday, seeking a job and had got many replies in that regard.
She had subsequently gone for a job interview in Uyo after having been invited by Ezekiel Frank Akpan who was said to have raped, killed her and buried her in a shallow grave.
Her post read, “#AkwaIbomTwitter please I’m really in need of a job, something to do to keep mind and soul together while contributing dutifully to the organisation. My location is Uyo, I’m creative, really good at thinking critically and most importantly a fast learner. CV available on request.”
However, the family had called for her corpse regardless as many stated that the consent of the family ought to be got before an autopsy would be conducted.
The family of the young woman, in a live video on Facebook, were seen crying and calling for the release of their relative’s body.
“Where is my sister’s corpse? Bring my sister back to me. Where is she? How are we sure that is her body? We are not leaving this place without seeing her corpse,” her sister was heard saying.
Another was saying, “I want to see her, she is my sister, I reported a case to the police but they refused to address me and instead went to issue a statement on social media.”
In another video, the spokesman for the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Odiko Macdon, while speaking with journalists at the police station, said the autopsy was necessary to allow for proper investigation.
He, however, said the family has access to the corpse.
He said, “The commissioner of police wishes to express his very deep sympathy on the demise of our friend. What has transpired is not a good one but you can also see the role of the police. We have in custody, the culprit, we have been able to apprehend him but the area we are concerned about is if there is any collaboration; if anybody is an accessory after the fact or an accessory before the fact; our concern is to bring anybody that has any connection with this crime to book.
“We are determined that by the grace of God, we are going to do just that. We urge you to sympathise with the family and then, of course, understand with us, and give us this chance to be able to do what we need to do. Indeed, he assaulted her both sexually and physically and thereafter, after we caught him after he confessed, he was able to take us to the shallow grave where he buried her and we were able to exhume the body. As I speak, the body has been deposited at the hospital. The essence of doing that is so that autopsy can be conducted.
“If you do not conduct an autopsy and charge the matter to court, for any want of diligent prosecution, the matter can be thrown out and we do not want that. We want justice, that is why we want an autopsy to be conducted.
“However, I’ll like to say this, the family will have unhindered access to the corpse to be able to really ascertain whether it’s theirs or not. But, the CP sympathises with the family, friend and loved ones of the deceased on this issue.
“Investigation will be discreet, it will be unhindered. We are deploying everything possible. We will like to determine if there is any form of collaboration. If anyone has aided.”
Akpan, according to reports, is a serial killer and rapist, who had been doing this for years.
Several chats he had with others has surfaced, indicting him as a criminal, since he was identified as the prime suspect.
However, there are allegations that some people with ‘connections’ are trying to truncate the course of justice.
The hashtag, #JusticeforHinyHumoren is currently trending.
It was also alleged that Akpan’s cousin is a politician, who is trying to use his powers to bail the offender and his accomplices.
Umoren’s death left a deep impression on Nigerian social media users, with many paying homage to the deceased and calling for her killer’s prosecution.
For @UmohUduak1 — Umoren’s friend who was the first to tweet about her disappearance — the tragedy feels unreal.
“I can’t still believe that my friend is gone,” @UmohUduak said. “I saw her last on Sunday and today she’s gone. @HinyHumoren is an orphan. No mother no father. She has been the one seeing herself through school. She only wanted to make ends meet till when she leaves for camp. Now this.”
Ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, stated that he had been keeping tabs on the proceedings and wished that the persons involved in Umoren’s murder face the wrath of the law.
He said, “I’ve been following the #FindHinyHumoren hashtag closely over the past couple of days and I am extremely devastated that young Miss Iniobong Umoren, who simply set out to find a job, was raped and murdered.
“At this particularly difficult time, my prayers are with her family and all her friends who kept this topic on the front burner over the last couple of days. I hope the perpetrators of this despicable act are swiftly tried and sentenced.”
Etomi-Wellington, had this to say, “Woke up to horror news. Can’t believe he killed her. All she wanted was a job for goodness sake; to make an honest living. What is it? She did all the right things. What must a woman do to be safe? What???”
A Twitter user, @Chyddee, said, “Turn on location: she did. Tell fam where you’re going: she did. Give them the visitee’s number: she did. Go during the day: she did. In case you have more tips on how women can stay safe, remember that Hinny Humoren took them all, and she’s still dead.”
Another tweep, @firstdoctorr, said, “We said #FindHinyUmoren, instead they raped & killed her. The pain of a jobless young university graduate seeking a job to cater for herself. Her failed cry for help in the hands of rapists. Her dreams.. I’m literally tearing up! What is this, Nigeria #JusticeforHinyHumoren”
Meanwhile, @ConcernedNIG asked that Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, make an official statement.
“Hello @MrUdomEmmanuel, we are not comfortable with your silence on the brutal murder of @HinyHumoren. Your government must work with the Federal Police to bring the killers of Hiny Umoren to justice. #JusticeforHinyHumoren”
Also, @ jeremiahrmg said, “Akwa Ibom State Government should not sleep on this matter ..we want Uduak and everyone involved in Hinny’s murder to be dealt with severely. The pain is too much. #JusticeforHinyHumoren”.
The Akwa Ibom Police Division stated that Akpan Uduak would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.
The statement read in part, “The suspect is a confessed serial rapist, who has owned up to raping other victims. He will be charged at the conclusion of investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, Amienghene Andrew, has called on youths and jobseekers to be wary of the activities of scammers and other men of the underworld.”
Leave a Reply