Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
Amnesty International Nigeria has renewed calls for justice, four years after the brutal killing of Reverend Emeka Merenu, an Anglican priest from Amorji Agbomiri village in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State, whose murder remains unresolved.
Reverend Merenu was killed in the early hours of Tuesday, 14 September 2021, at his parsonage in Orsu Iheteukwa, Orsu Local Government Area. Gunmen reportedly stormed his residence, murdered him, and set his vehicle ablaze before fleeing the scene.
In a statement marking the fourth anniversary of the killing, Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the continued failure of the authorities to ensure justice for the slain priest. The human rights organisation said that despite repeated demands by the victim’s family and community, the Nigerian authorities have yet to hold anyone accountable for the crime.
“The Nigerian authorities still have an opportunity to ensure accountability for ending the life of Reverend Emeka Merenu,” Amnesty International Nigeria said. “His family continues to demand justice, and the government must act decisively to ensure that those responsible are brought to book.”
The organisation stressed that the persistent pattern of uninvestigated killings in the South-East has emboldened attackers and deepened the culture of impunity. It warned that unless decisive steps are taken to prosecute perpetrators, such violence will continue to threaten lives, communities, and faith leaders across the region.
Reverend Merenu’s killing in 2021 came amid rising insecurity in parts of Imo State, where targeted attacks on religious leaders, security personnel, and public institutions had created fear and instability. His murder sparked widespread outrage at the time, with the Anglican community and human rights groups demanding swift action—demands that remain unmet to this day.
Four years later, as his family and parishioners continue to mourn, Amnesty International’s renewed call serves as a reminder of the state’s duty to protect its citizens and deliver justice. The organisation urged the Nigerian government to reopen investigations, prosecute those responsible, and demonstrate that no life—no matter whose—is above accountability.
By Stone Reporters News
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