The House of Representatives has ordered the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to take over the investigation and prosecution of the killers of Miss Iniubong Umoren, who was found dead after attending a job interview.
The House also condemned the act of sexual assault and gruesome murder of Miss Umoren, describing it as barbaric, inhuman and despotic while seeking protection for her family.
In a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Unyime Idem representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom, the House also mandated the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development to follow up with the investigation and prosecution.
Idem informed that House that “on April 30, 2021, the Anti-kidnapping Squad of the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Police Force received a criminal report of the disappearance of Miss Iniubong Ephraim Umoren who left her house on the fateful day in search of employment.
“Miss Iniubong Umoren was a graduate of the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State who was without employment since her graduation from the University. Available information has it that she received a phone call from the assailant who pretentiously called her and invited her to a false interview of an advertised job.
“Miss Iniubong Umoren was later found dead by the officers of the Nigeria Police Force after an official report and with the help of a wide reportage of her disappearance and information of the false interview on social media platforms. Her body was further exhumed where it was buried in a shallow grave by her assailant.”
He said further upon arrest by the Police and subsequent voluntary confession, the assailant boasted he is well connected and will be released from the custody in a matter of days.
He disclosed the family members of the deceased have reportedly raised an alarm of receiving strange phone calls and threats of various degrees and have been asked to withdraw the case.
He said it was unfortunate the Nigeria Police Force has been reporting a surging high record in rape and gender violation across the country.
Members also raised concerns about attacks by bandits in communities in Niger State and the kidnapping and killing of a Commissioner in Kogi and asked the police to put an immediate halt to the situation.
Recall that Miss Umoren was invited for a job interview at an undisclosed location along Akwa Ibom International Airport, Uyo where she was raped and murdered by a 20-year-old suspect Uduak Frank Akpan.
Earlier reports claimed that Akpan lured Umoren to his house under the pretext of giving her a job, then sexually assaulted her, which led to her death.
Police spokesman Odiko MacDon said in a press release on Sunday that the Command received a report of Umoren’s disappearance on April 30.
