FOR the Omeziris, tears are not enough to express the trauma the sudden death of their bread winner, Dr. Canice Oyemaechi Omeziri, has brought upon the family.
The 62-year old Canadian-trained surgeon from Umuanaekwe Umuduruaku Umuiheofor of Ofoaziri in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State was kidnapped byfive heavily armed men on April 15, 2012 at his hospital in Amakpaka Amaraku and latermurdered in cold blood even before the N5million ransom demanded could be paid.
His mutilated body was later dumped at a junction near the Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO. But while the family is still in shock over the murder, the drama that preceded the kidnap, the demand for ransom for the life of the “People’s Doctor”, as he was fondly called, have left more questions than answers.
On the fateful day, Omeziri was said to have reported to office and attended to his patients and, probably due to his heavy schedule, he even forgot that hehadn’t eaten for the day. By the time he finally realized this, it was already dusk and he decided to settle for a cup of tea and biscuit.
He had scarcely finished the meal when an acquaintance entered to know if he was still in the office. It was while exchanging pleasantries with hisguest that four armed men burst in and ordered the doctor to cooperate with them or be shot dead.
He was whisked to an unknown destination in his vehicle. The next day, the kidnappers were said to have put a call through to members of his family demanding a ransom of N5million if they hoped to see their bread winner again.
Then, the family began to notice what they alleged as insider’s involvement. First, it was alleged that the man that first entered the doctor’s office was a known face who engagedhim in a conversation prior to the arrival of his captors.
Unfortunately, Omeziri is not alive to tell his story. Second, a relation (name withheld), who was reportedly arrested by the police in the course of investigation, did not help matters as he gave conflicting accounts on the N400,000 that was given to him as ransom.
Two days into Canice’s disappearance, the kidnappers were said to have backed downon their demand for N5million to a ‘reasonable’ amount and the money was given to the suspect who claimed to have paid it to the captors’ account. But while in police custody, the suspect gave a different version.
Said a source: “We gathered that the police arrested one person in connection with the crime; though, it was not so clear why the suspect was allowed to go, it was learnt that those that perpetrated the act may not be too far from the deceased’s homestead.
“We also learnt from the police that the money that was supposed to have been paid to the kidnappers as claimed was not paid after all; the money was cornered by some people whose identities were not made known. Again, when family members decided to accompany one of the deceased brothers to meet with the supposed kidnappers, the said brother refused, saying it would not be good to go to them as a crowd.
“It was also learnt that it was after much argument that he allowed one person to follow him to meet with the hoodlums. He also told the person who followed him to alight from thevehicle when it was apparent that they had gotten to the criminal hideout so that he alone could meet with the hoodlums.”
The slain doctor, who doubled as the Medical Director of Rikky Hospital, located along Ojo Road, in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos, leftbehind a widow, also a medical doctor, Francis Begh N Omeziri (nee Anamekwe).
The bizarre drama that has encapsulated the killing of her husband is more of a nightmare that reality. The police, who were supposed to assist in unravelling those behind her husband’s kidnap and murder, she claimed, are economical with the truth.
But the evolving scenario seemed not to interest the son of the deceased, Ugonna. His concern is for the Inspector -General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, to fish out his father’s murderers.
“All I want is for the IGP to unravel the mystery behind my father’s kidnap and subsequent murder; this is what I am interested in; not whether somebody was given money and he refused to pay or the police is being economical with the truth.
If those who perpetrated the dastardly act are apprehended, the truth will come out,” he said.
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