By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The mother of a staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Mr Chima Anolue, who was allegedly killed with a pestle by his house help, has expressed sadness over her son's death, saying that he died hungry.

She stated this during the burial of the deceased at Igbo Ukwu community in Aguata Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.

Recall that Chima Anolue, a technologist and Choir Master, was brutally killed in his home by on July 15, 2023 by the family’s house help, a native of Ebonyi State whose name was given as Ifesinachi.

The 35-year-old lecturer was attacked with a pestle after a domestic argument with the house help who was brought in by Anolue’s parents.

Tears flowed freely from members of the university community who wailed uncontrollably during the burial of their deceased member, whom they described as “a cool headed fellow.”

The mother of the deceased, Dr Ifeyinwa Anolue, who serves as Secretary, College of Postgraduate Studies, UNIZIK, lamented the death of Anolue, saying that he was her last son.

She added: “It was not the first time the house help had done something wrong, but we always forgave him. He had once been apprehended stealing rods and was beaten by security guards, but we intervened.

“He had also stolen in our house, but he wrote undertaking never to do so again and begged us. My son, Chima (the deceased), once urged us to send the boy away before he got us into trouble.”

Reminiscing on what played out on the day her son was murdered, Dr Anolue said: “We went for burial on Thursday. Then on Friday night, I got a call from my second son, saying there was a crisis.

“He asked us to start praying as the news he got from Awka was that Chima is in critical condition and has been rushed to the hospital.

“It turned out that my son was attacked and killed by our house help. I later visited the Police station and requested to see Ifesi (culprit) to know why he killed my son.

“He said what happened was that Chima told him (Ifesi) to boil rice for him (Chima) and slapped him. I told him it was a lie. Chima cannot tell him to boil rice. He has never cooked for Chima since he came to our house. Chima can only send him to buy Coca-Cola across the street on rare occasions.

“My only sadness was that my son died hungry. The rice he was boiling before he was killed was never touched.”