The Nigerian Embassy, Rome, Italy, has given details of circumstances surrounded the death of a 39-year-old physically-challenged Nigerian, Alika Ogorchukwu.
The incident happened publicly while onlookers filmed how the aggressive man beat and strangled Ogorchukwu to death without any apparent attempt to intervene.
According to Washington Post, the video footage of the attack has circulated widely on Italian news websites and social media, attracting outrage as Italy enters a parliamentary election campaign in which the right-wing coalition has already made immigration an issue.
The Nigerian Embassy in Rome said in a statement that Ogorchukwu was been beaten to death by an Italian man in Civitanova Marche city area of the country.
According to the embassy, the incident happened on Friday in Civitanova Marche City located in the Province of Macerata, Marche Region of Italy.
The Embassy said it was collaborating with relevant Italian authorities to ensure justice is served and to provide succour to the family of the deceased.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Embassy has been drawn to the brutal murder of Alika Ogorchukwu. 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.
“His Excellency, Ambassador Mfawa Omini Abam has condemned the gruesome murder and has commiserated with Mrs. Charity Oriachi, wife of the deceased, and the rest of his family.
“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.
“Ambassador Abam wishes to enjoin 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 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.”
Also, confirming the development in a tweet on Saturday, NIDCOM wrote, “39-year-old Nigerian citizen 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.”
