A 39 year old Nigerian named Alika Ogorchukwu, who was a legal resident in Italy was beating to death in a busy Italian Street, by his assailant, while bystanders merely watched and recorded his murder on video.
According to Francesco Mantella, an Italian lawyer representing Alika`s wife in the case, the victim lived “in Italy for about nine years with a regular residence permit and worked as a street vendor” CNN has reported.
Alika Ogorchukwu travelled every day from his Italian home in the small village of San Severino Marche, to the larger town of Civitanova Marche, where he did his business, trading on small items like – lighters and tissue paper, according to the lawyer.
He made this trip every day hoping do better business in Civitanova Marche, until he was killed in the town on Friday.
BASIC FACTS
- The unfortunate incident, which happened on Friday took place in the Italian eastern coastal town of Civitanova Marche, in the presence of some bystanders who failed to intervene in any way to stop the carnage, as shown by portion of the video seen by Clariform.
- Local media report indicates that Alika Ogorchukwu relies on crutches for walking after being hit by a vehicle while travelling on his bicycle in 2021, according to Francesco Mantella, a lawyer representing Alika`s wife – Charity Oriachi.
- According to the Italian police, the Nigerian man was chased down the street, attached with his own crutches and then beaten “to death with bare hands” while on the ground by an Italian assailant.
- The Italian who beat him to death also stole his mobile phone, the Macerata police said authority has confirmed.
VICTIM`S WIFE
Alika Ogorchukwu’s was a family man with a wife and eight year old son. He lived in Italy with his wife, identified as Charity Oriachi, who now seeks justice for the murder of her husband.
She told local journalists on Friday following the killing that she wanted justice for her husband, saying “Italy, don’t leave me alone,” according to the media report.
She also gave account of her last meeting with her husband in the morning of Friday before his killing, saying, “I gave him a croissant, I told him ‘eat this’. I gave him the croissant and haven’t seen him since.
“Then many people came to call me: ‘Your husband, come!’ I needed someone with the car and when I arrived in Civitanova I saw him lying down on the street”, she said.
THE KILLER
The killer has been identified and arrested by the police. According to police report, he is a 32-year-old Italian citizen, named Filippo Ferlazzo. He was arrested for murder and robbery.
However, a lawyer representing the Italian, Federica Trifoglio in an interview by CNN claimed that “his client has psychiatric issues and they intend to file a psychiatric report.”
REACTIONS
The video of Alika`s killing has circulated online causing chaos across Italy and bringing the issue of racism and crimes against foreigners to the front burner as the country prepares for elections in September.
In the video a woman can be heard shouting “stop, stop immediately” in the while another man shouts: “You are killing him”, but no one was seen physically intervening to prevent the murder.
Reacting to the incident, the Nigerian embassy in Rome has condemned Alika`s murder, assuring that the embassy will work with Italian authorities to ensure that justice is done in the case.
In a statement, the Nigerian embassy noted, saying, “the incident occurred on a busy street and in front of shocked onlookers, some of whom made videos of the attack, with little or no attempt to prevent it.”
The Nigerian embassy have also said that assistance will be provided for Alike`s widow and their eight year old son who both also lives in Italy.
Similarly, the mayor of Civitanova Marche has disclosed that the expenses for Alika’s burial will be covered by the Municipality. Also, available report confirms that a fundraiser has been started to help the victim`s family.
