A Tragic Loss: The Story of a Family’s Suffering
Pastor Ignatius Ikeze shares a deeply painful story with a journalist, recounting the loss of five family members—his brother, his wife, and three of their children. He believes this tragedy may have been linked to a long-standing land dispute that has haunted his family for years.
The Relationship with the Deceased
Barnabas, the late brother of Pastor Ignatius, was part of the Umuaneke Kindred of Akpani Neke in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State. Their bond was unbreakable, and the loss of Barnabas and his family left an indelible mark on the pastor’s life.
The Pain of Losing Five Family Members
The grief of losing five loved ones in one day is beyond comprehension. For Pastor Ignatius, it was a tragedy that no one could ever wish upon themselves. His brother was someone he couldn’t imagine living without, and the pain of losing him has been overwhelming. He credits God’s grace for helping him slowly regain his strength.
The Rumor of Poisoning
Yes, there were rumors that the family was poisoned. According to Pastor Ignatius, the roots of this tragedy go back several years when their father passed away. Some individuals tried to seize their father’s land, but the family stood firm and eventually won the case. However, a faction of people vowed to eliminate them, leading to a series of threats and acts of terror.
The Day of the Tragedy
Pastor Ignatius had just returned from a conference in Abuja when he received news that his brother and his family had been rushed to the hospital. He was held back from going immediately, but the next day, he arrived to find his brother, his wife, and two of their children dead. Two others were already in the mortuary, and one child survived.
The Threatening Man
A man who had long threatened the family was involved in the incident. Though not a direct member of the family, he belonged to a particular kindred. This man had previously vowed to kill the pastor’s brother during a family meeting in the village.
The Children and the Incident
The family had six children, but only four were at home on the night of the tragedy. They ate a locally prepared cassava dish called aribo. Three of the children died along with their parents, while one survived because he was in another part of the room.
The Nurse and the Suspicious Events
After being transferred to a different ward, the pastor became uneasy and returned to his brother’s ward. There, he witnessed a nurse injecting something into his brother’s wife’s mouth before she died. Despite his attempts to stop her, the nurse fled, and the pastor reported the incident to the police.
The Aftermath and Lack of Justice
The police took statements and arrested the nurse, but she was later released. The doctor involved pleaded with the pastor not to pursue the case, claiming the nurse “didn’t know what she was doing.” However, the pastor insisted on justice and refused to drop the case.
The Ongoing Struggle
Despite the efforts to investigate, the autopsy has not yet been carried out, and the family is still waiting for answers. The corpses of the deceased remain in the mortuary, and no government authority has reached out to support the family.
The Call for Justice
Pastor Ignatius is calling on the government, especially the Enugu State government, to intervene and ensure a thorough investigation. He believes that the truth will come out once the autopsy is completed and the police remain committed to their duty.
The Final Words
The tragedy has left the family in a state of unbearable trauma. The pastor is pleading for justice and hoping that the truth will be revealed through the ongoing investigations. He remains hopeful that the government will step in and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
