The Italian police authorities have said a 39-year-old Nigerian, Alika Ogorchukwu, was killed by his attacker, Fillipo Ferlazzo, over alms begging.
Ogorchukwu was beaten to death on Friday by Ferlazzo in Civitanova Marche city, in the Province of Macerata, Marche Region of Italy.
The police, while briefing the public on the incident, said the victim drew the ire of his attacker having persistently begged for money from him.
“The attacker chased the victim and first attacked him with a crutch, then knocked him to the ground and finished him off, killing him by repeatedly striking him with his bare hands. It is a murder determined by futile motives. What emerges from the investigation is that the victim was particularly persistent in begging money from the attacker and his partner,” the police said.
The police were said to have used street cameras to track Ferlazzo’s movements and arrested him on Saturday on charges of murder and allegedly stealing the victim’s mobile phone.
The accused is currently being held in the Montacuto prison in Ancona.
The wife of the deceased, Charity Oriachi, demanded justice for her husband.
Speaking in a video uploaded on Daily Mail, a United Kingdom based news platform, Oriachi said, “I need justice for my husband. That is what I want. I need justice. The pain is too much for me.”
The Nigerian Embassy in Rome, Italy, in a statement, condemned the killing, describing it as brutal.
The statement read in part, “The incident occurred on a busy street in front of shocked onlookers, some of whom made videos of the attack, with little or no attempt to prevent it.
“His Excellency, Ambassador Mfawa Omini Abam has condemned the gruesome murder and has commiserated with Mrs Charity Oriachi, wife of the deceased, and the rest of his family.
“His Excellency has directed the provision of immediate consular assistance as appropriate. The embassy is currently collaborating with relevant Italian authorities to ensure justice is served and to provide succour to the family of the deceased.”
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission also confirmed the development via its Twitter handle on Saturday.
NIDCOM wrote, “39-year-old Nigerian citizen was beaten to death by an Italian man on Friday, July 29, 2022, in Civitanova Marche city, located in the Province of Macerata, Marche Region of Italy.”
