Anytime you saw Gabriel, you saw a young man with so much focus, drive to succeed, and a burning quest to stand out despite all. A good high school in Cardinal Ekandem Seminary had provided a sound foundation for him to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering in Uniuyo. It was no wonder then that the young Gabriel knew a thing or two about everything. You won’t catch him off guard in any subject. But of all, he knew many, if not all religions at the tip of his fingers and fecund mind no matter the time of day.


In Church, he was a man of all. If you have an issue with Gabriel, it can only be because of a certain point of contention on an issue of interest. Whether it was politics, science, arts, name them, the boy was at the top of his game. Gabriel lived a life of quietude to an extent. Though a fine mixer, he was not given to flamboyance and pop lifestyle. He didn’t only dress gentlemanly, he was a gentleman who attached nothing to life but simplicity. He did not glory in the mundane.


That’s why it’s shocking that such a calm fellow could die such a painful death. The boy was butchered in his room. He was left to bleed to death on a mat. After not being seen for days, his calls not picked, a Facebook post declared him missing. But curiosity grew when the stench of his decaying body engulfed the area he lived. Gabriel’s decomposing body was only discovered last Saturday after he must have passed on for days. He was buried without delay amidst a river of tears.


It was a devastating scene to behold. Many couldn’t believe that Gabriel Bassey was gone. A thick pall of gloom hung in the air. Who could have done this to Gabriel? Many queried. If he had died naturally, it would have still been a sad tale to tell. But to see his body cut to pieces by a beastly fellow is heart-rending, to say the least.


Kenneth Jude

For many who knew him, including his family, the only thing that can console all is to get to the root of this matter, get the person behind this sad incident and make sure he pays the price of this man’s inhumanity to a fellow man in full. Gabriel must get justice. He didn’t deserve to die in such an animalistic manner.

Those handling the case should ensure a thorough investigation. This case should not be compromised for any reason. There should be no double-dealing. Let justice for which the late Gabriel often advocated for in society prevail. This is the only thing that can console his family and many others. To see this case treated with kid gloves may inflame passions more.


His brother has pointed a finger hence the chief suspect is already answering questions. An investigation into the matter should be done without recourse to sentiments. It’s not a church fight, but the Pastor involved. So, let’s not demonize the church but face the man. He’s only but a suspect until the law says otherwise. So, let’s throw no barbs at his church to avoid distractions.

In every society, the church has a bad egg hence if as alleged, the man committed, aided, and abetted the crime, it cannot be concluded that that’s how the church is. A bad child does not mean all other children of the same parents are the same. So, let’s focus on the man who is understandably the prime suspect given what transpired in the past and testimonies by neighbors. But this is no excuse for members of the church to act as though unrefined.


In all, we ask for nothing other than justice for Gabriel. Let the state government, security agencies, and other relevant bodies take this matter seriously. No carpet worth its weight and size can stand the heat this nightmarish death has generated; so the thought of sweeping anything under it doesn’t arise. All eyes are on the investigating authorities. No compromises, please.

In all, #JusticeForGabrielEdward is our rallying cry!

Kenneth Jude writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. kennethjude2014@gmail.com

What a pity! This writer could have done better with the write up.... You write like it was a poem or a puzzle.