Alika Ogochukwu was beaten by an Italian man on a busy street, in front of shocked onlookers, some of whom made videos of the attack, with little or no attempt to prevent it
By Jeffrey Agbo
A physically challenged Nigerian, Alika Ogochukwu, has been killed in the Province of Macerata, Marche Region of Italy.
The Nigerian Embassy in Rome, Italy said in a statement on Saturday that the 39-year-old was beaten to death on Friday by an Italian man.
“The attention of the Embassy has been drawn to the brutal murder of Alika Ogochukwu,” Ambassador Mfawa Abam said in the statement.
“A 39-year-old Nigerian citizen who was beaten to death by an Italian man on Friday 29th July, 2022, in Civitanova Marche city, located in the Province of Macerata, Marche Region of Italy.
“The incident occurred on a busy street, in front of shocked onlookers. Some of whom made videos of the attack, with little or no attempt to prevent it.”
The embassy condoled with the deceased’s wife Charity Oriachi and the rest of his family.
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“His Excellency has directed the provision of immediate consular assistance as appropriate.
“The Embassy is currently collaborating with relevant Italian authorities to ensure justice is served and to provide succour to the family of the deceased,” the statement said.
Abam enjoined members of the Nigerian community in Italy to remain calm and to refrain from taking laws into their hands.
“His Excellency wishes to reassure Nigerians in Italy that citizen’s diplomacy remained the key thrust of his administration and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all Nigerians in Italy receive timely, efficient and professional consular services,” the statement added.
Italians have a history of racial prejudice against blacks.
Last year, Osaze Osemwingie-Ero, a former Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, cried out regarding the plight of over 300 Nigerian youths ‘illegally’ detained in Italian prisons for contrived charges on mafia-related offences.
At a meeting with officials of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mr Osemwingie-Ero disclosed that he learned about the plight of the innocent young Nigerians during his wrongful detention in Italy.
According to the former commissioner, the young Nigerians are held in Italian maximum prisons because they do not have the resources to access independent lawyers.
