By Lawal A. Dogara,Kaduna
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council has called on the Federal Government to immediately set up an independent investigative panel to fish out the killers of the late Vice Chairman of Sun Newspapers, Mr. Dimgba Igwe who was recently killed by a hit and run driver at his Okota residence. The Council made the call when it paid a condolence visit to the Sun Northwest Bureau Office in Kaduna .
Speaking before signing the condolence register, the Chairman of Elders’ Committee of the Council, Elder John Fwah described the circumstances surrounding the death of the late Igwe as suspicious and calls for a thorough investigation to fish out the perpetrators.
“It is very unfortunate that we (lost) a rare gem in the pen profession in this gruesome circumstance.The action of the hit and run driver aroused a lot of suspicions and the only way to console his family, friends and colleagues is to bring the driver to justice.
“Bringing the driver to justice will also save the country from him perpetrating similar mischief because he escaped the first one, definitely he will also do more and who knows who’s next?”
Elder Fwah added that journalists across the country will miss the knowledge, wisdom and professionalism of late Dimgba Igwe who he best described as a gentleman to the core.
Also speaking a journalist, and traditional title holder of Sardaunan Hayin Banki Kaduna, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim described the death of late Igwe as painful considering the circumstance of his death. He also added that his death should be a wake-up call for all journalists to key into the NUJ Life Insurance Scheme considering the dangers faced by journalists while carrying out their duties.
Responding, the North-West Bureau Chief of the Sun Newspaper, Alhaji Ismail Omipidan expressed appreciation for the concern shown by the NUJ Kaduna State Council on the death of their late Vice Chairman. According to him,while he was expecting people to come in and sign the condolence register, he was short of words when he saw the large number of journalists who turned out as a team to condole with his office.
Alhaji Omipidan promised to convey the call of the Council to the Management the Sun Newspaper and also pleaded with the gentlemen of the press to continue to rally around them in times of grief.
