By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
A wave of outrage has swept across the Southeast following the alleged murder of a young Igbo woman, Blessing Eze, at Ifo Market in Ogun State by suspected touts said to be posing as government agents. Her death, reportedly over her refusal to pay a N1,500 religious levy, has ignited fresh concerns about the safety and rights of Igbo traders living outside the South-East.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has condemned the killing in strong terms and is demanding urgent action from the Ogun State Government and security agencies. According to the group’s National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, Eze was brutally attacked for refusing to pay a fee that had no legal backing.
“We are horrified that an innocent woman was stabbed to death simply because she stood up against extortion. This is a clear case of murder, and it must not be swept under the carpet,” Nnabuike said.
He described the perpetrators as a criminal gang pretending to be government officials, warning that such incidents threaten national unity and ignite ethnic tension. “The murder of Blessing Eze is not just a crime; it’s a test of justice. We are calling on the Inspector General of Police and the Ogun State Government to ensure the killers are brought to book,” he added.
The incident has triggered a flood of angry reactions on social media, with many Nigerians, particularly from the Southeast, expressing fears over increasing hostility towards Igbo traders in the South-West. Hashtags like #JusticeForBlessingEze and #StopTheExtortion have trended online, amplifying calls for accountability.
Nnabuike further warned that any attempts to shield the culprits or delay justice could heighten tensions between ethnic groups and damage public trust in law enforcement institutions. He urged the government to not only arrest the attackers but also dismantle illegal tax collection syndicates operating in markets across the state.
“The safety of Igbo traders in every part of Nigeria is non-negotiable. We want to see justice served swiftly and transparently,” he concluded.
The tragic killing has now become a rallying point for broader calls against extortion, ethnic profiling, and the failure of local authorities to rein in lawless elements posing as revenue collectors. As investigations continue, Nigerians await action not just promises.