by Isi Esene
The fathers of two of the murdered UNIPORT students spoke to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) about the killing and what actions they want to be taken to obtain justice after the gruesome murder.
In a telephone interview with the BBC, the fathers of two of the victims, Lloyd Michael and Chiadika Biringa spoke about their sons and how they feel towards the people who murdered their sons.
Lloyd’s father expressed shock at the killing saying he never expected such a thing to happen. He said, “Never in my life. I never ever thought this sort of thing could happen in my country in the 21st century. Never. This is barbaric.”
He urged the government to do the right thing by bringing to justice all those involved in the killing of the four UNIPORT students.
Despite all that has happened, he said “I still believe that what has happened to my son and his friends will never ever happen again if the right steps are taken.”
Chiadika Biringa’s father said he would continue to harbor anger until justice is done in the matter and the names of the victims are cleared of allegations.
He said,“I’ve never seen such level of callousness been meted on an innocent soul, a child. It brings about anger and that anger is now with me until justice is done on this matter.”
Biringa reportedly added he would like the murderers to be caught and for justice to prevail.
Click here to listen to the interview.
Meanwhile, late Chiadika Biringa’s mother has written a touching petition addressed to the Senate President, David Mark, urging the senate to wade into the unjust murder and see that justice is done.
Chiadika was a 200 Level student of Theatre Arts in the institution.
Please read parts of the petition below:
Petition: Gruesome murder of my son at Aluu, University of Port Harcourt host community.
“My name is Mrs. Chinwe Biringa. I am the mother of Mr. Chiadika Biringa, a second year student of Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). My husband is a very senior staff officer at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
“My son turned 20 years old this week and we gave him pocket money to celebrate it with his friends. On Friday morning, we were called by my second son, also a UNIPORT student that all was not well and he was hearing bad rumours that villagers at ALUU, the host community of UNIPORT had murdered four students. I immediately rushed to the scene only to see my son’s dead body being taken away naked to a mortuary in UNIPORT Teaching Hospital. I could not believe my eyes and collapsed.
“What did my son do? What did the other three young men who died with him do? First, we heard that the four students were alleged to have stolen a Blackberry phone and a laptop computer. This could not be further from the truth. My son has had a Blackberry phone and in fact a laptop computer since he was in primary school. No way could my son steal such a common thing as a cell phone which every village woman now owns.
“We have been subjected to several gory videos and pictures on the internet. This shows that someone filmed the whole barbarism from beginning to end. My son and his friends were savagely beaten and burnt to death while villagers at ALUU watched. All this has been caught on film!
“The video shows that all this was filmed in broad day light which suggests that they were killed after 7.30 am. Further investigation has revealed that they left their friend’s house at ALUU at about 7 am to go and prepare for lectures.
“To waylay them and beat them with planks until they died like chicken is the most savage thing one can witness in Nigeria of 2012. First they were stripped naked, marched around like frogs and then beaten to death. What savagery and bestiality.
“My husband and I want only two things, namely: (a) To clear the name of Chiadika, (b) justice
“Your Excellency, every responsible parent knows what I, my husband, and the entire family are passing through over this beastly murder.
“Again, and for emphasis, the film shows everything in clear view and all the perpetrators must answer for their crimes.
“We want justice. Those who murdered my son must face the wrath of the law.
“Heartbroken mother.’’
they should deal with those that are responsible for the killing, and killed them too cause the law say he who kill should also be killed too. May the soul of the four boys rest in perfect peace with the lord. i fill the pain everyday. i don’t known them but is painfully.wick villagers, ( the world is full of evil so one need pray harder) for there present let them take heart and follow justice and put everything in the hand of God.
Never know what to say but I know GOD is there may HIS grace abed with you and your family. AMEN.
Oh, what a sad incidence 2 remember. My condolness goes 2 d parents of dis 4 futured youths dat d enemies have dcided 2 cut their lifes shut, which they fail 2 remember dat iniquity reigns, but 4 a while. It is tym 4 equity 2 take place.
may the great comforter who alone is able to heal the broken hearted heal your hearts; parents whose dear ones were subjected to this orageous cruel deed. oh God have mercy on us.
I express my condolences 2 da family of da lost victim, God wil c u pple 2tru
If they could bring me does guys who brutally killed this innocent 4 handsome guys,only God nos how my heart is boiling for this barberic act, and what i can do to them.this is totally BOW SHIT.
too bad uni port area, they have to kill every one in that village because they don't value education in their land Nigeria justices may not work well you we are all Nigerians.
Those pple must nt go free..wicked pple
Though I have never had confidence in Our system, becos this case will be celebrated for just a few weeks, and then it will fade away, but lets pray that they actually bring all the people involved to justice, wickedness cannot be defined outside this. Most of those community people are jobless, uneducated, hungry, and useless that's y they did what they did, it takeS a man who has gone through the four walls of university to know the value of a student in university. they should not only be brought to justice, but should be giving death by firing squad.
the families of the 4 student I can’t imagine what you are feeling now, but I want to express my condolences to you all…i pray the love of God enfolds you during your difficult times and he helps you heal with the passage of time…very sad right now.
This is barbaric, i'm so crazy, stupid people.