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Nigeria: Bekpor Youths Protest Death of Female Pilot
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Leadership (Abuja)
8 May 2008
Posted to the web 8 May 2008
Edem Edem
Abuja
Brate Youths of Bekpor Irruan in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State have protested the death of the first female pilot in Cross River State, Miss Grace Eriom, 27, who died in a ghastly motor accident along Nkarasi-junction by St. Bernard Primary School, on Ogoja-Ikom Highway.
The angry youths, who armed themselves with dangerous weapons such as machetes, iron rods, knives, sticks, etc, attacked some people suspected to be witchcraft experts, whom they described as responsible for the dead of the Pilot. Some people, according to a source, sustained injuries and were hospitalised. Others, however, have fled the community for fear of being killed by the angry youths.
The late Miss Eriom, according to our investigations, was the first female Pilot in Cross River State. She was sponsored by the then government of Mr Donald Duke to study a course in civil aviation in South Africa where she graduated and proceeded to the United States of America.
The late pilot flew in from the United States of America last week to attend her senior sister's traditional marriage and a thanks giving service organised by a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Jacob Enyia, representing Boki 11. She was on her way back, when she met her untimely death.
An eye witness, Mr Emmanuel Obi of UniCal, and Mr Joe Ekpang, the Information Officer of the University of Calabar, explained that the late pilot was driving in a Jeep which she bought for her father, a retired army officer, chief Bernard Eriom, recently after the function at Bekpor Irruan and on her way back at Nkarasi junction, the Jeep somersaulted along the road leading to her demise.
According to Obi, the lady was the only victim of the road mishap with a broken skull, while her left hand was also broken. He said the driver of the Jeep was critically injured and was still on admission at a nearby clinic. He said the sister of the deceased pilot came out unhurt, including the other four people who were inside the car which made the youths to suspect foul play, stressing that the pilot was the target of the accident. The then mobilised and attacked those perceived to be witches and wizards from the community.
As at the time of filing this report, many residents of Bekpor Irruan had fled the community for fear of being attacked by the angry youths.
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Our findings revealed that more than six persons so far have sustained serious injuries as a result of the demonstration.
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