My son should bury me not the other way – Mother

What is your name?

My name is Mrs Helen Unachukwu. Oguchi Unachukwu, who was shot dead at the toll gate of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo airport, Owerri, on May 31, by Air Force personnel, was my son. I am from Umudim in Ikeduru, Imo State, but married in Mbieri in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state. I am over 70 years old.

How many children do you have?

I have nine children. Oguchi is my fifth child and my second son. With his gruesome killing by people who ought to protect him, I am now left with eight surviving children. My husband, their father, is late.

How do you feel about your son’s killing?

I am devastated. I cry morning, afternoon and night. I am not happy at all whenever I look at my son’s wife and children. My prayer is that God will fight my battle. Within the next one year, whoever killed my son will be killed too. My son didn’t deserve to die. The Air Force man who killed my beloved son will not escape justice. My son was rushing to catch a flight to Lagos, from there he was to head to Germany on the same day to resume work on June 1. He (perpetrator) will not escape the wrath of God. I feel terribly bad that I will bury a promising son who ought to bury me. This is a taboo. It is one death too many. I feel terribly bad.

What kind of a person was your son?

My son was a peacemaker. He was a playful person. He played with both young and old a lot. He is dead and I pray God to console me and give me the heart to bear this heavy loss. He loved children a lot. He was always playing with children, buying things for them and always giving them money.

Can you remember the last conversation you had with him?

He came here (to my house) last week to carry the things he needed to go back to Germany with. We discussed as usual and shared fine memories; little did I know that it was going to be our last meeting. I feel terribly bad, honestly. We were close. We had a good relationship. He would request what to eat and it was prepared for him before he came. He visited me regularly and loved me as his mother.

Who broke the news of his death to you?

My children (did). They all came back here and started crying. I couldn’t comprehend it. At first, I thought they were referring to another person until it dawned on me that they were referring to Oguchi. I felt my world had crumbled. It was unimaginable. I couldn’t believe it. My grief was compounded when I learnt he was killed by an Air Force man. This is terribly bad. What kind of country is this? This is unbelievable.

What do you want the authorities to do about the killing?

Since, there is a massive killing spree in Imo state and my son happened to be one of the victims, the government should do anything reasonable to console us, but the killer should not go unpunished. That man who shot my son dead and rendered my little grandchildren fatherless should not be allowed to walk free. He should be prosecuted. This is bad. My heart is bleeding.