The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has expressed concern over the plight of the family of one ThankGod Edet Bassey, a Police Inspector attached to the State Police Command, who was shot dead in the line of duty by armed hoodlums in Oron local government area in December last year.
The deceased officer, LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered, was shot dead and his service rifle seized by the gunmen who kidnapped a female judge he served as an orderly on their way from Oron to Uyo.
Touched by the noticeable absence of care for the family since the demise of the bread winner, the union during the March 2023 Congress held at the NUJ Council Secretariat in Uyo, appealed to the Governor Umo Eno-led administration to intervene with a view to giving a new lease of life to the distraught family in these trying times.
The congress chaired by Comrade Amos Etuk stressed the need for urgent palliatives to cushion the pains to prevent other unpleasant happenings to the family.
“We appeal to the state government to consider the plights of the widow and children of the slain Police officer, Mr ThankGod Edet Bassey, which took place in Oron in December 2023,” he stated.
Other resolutions included commendations for the governor on the inauguration of the Bulk Purchasing Agency (BPA) Board and provision of free food for the elderly and vulnerable residents and award of contracts and flag-off of construction of various roads in the state, especially Ring Road 3, EkirItam Akpanabong-Mbiaya Road projects.
“Congress appealed to the State government to link up Ikpanya community with neighbouring villages in Ibiono Ibom, Ikono and Ini LGAs with motorable roads.
“Congress reiterated the need for the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM) to step up sensitisation campaigns against cultism and truancy in secondary schools in the State and urged security agencies to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and the Local Education Committee to address the situation,” the council stressed.
