Nigerian stabbed to death in his bathroom in Houston

Special to USAfricaonline.com
NigeriaCentral.com

A sad and tragic event has punctuated what had been a fairly peaceful new year for Nigerians, and indeed, Africans in Houston. It all seemed like the stuff of fictional, filmic criminal assassination. Jonas Onwuchuruba, a Nigerian, woke up, was getting ready for work. He did what most normal persons do. Entered his shower for the day's challenge. Little did he know, it was a bath before the act of devilish finality was inflicted upon his average physical frame. He was stabbed to death on that Tuesday January 23, 2001. Apparently, the killers must have knocked on his door, and he let them in. Or, another scenario could be that they had the key to the house- since there was no evidence of forced entry. Now, why him, who did it, and why?

USAfricaonline.com and USAfrica The Newspaper investigations and inquiry regarding the killing of Mr. Onwuchuruba suggest that about 3 persons made it into his apartment called Broadway Square (in south east Houston) near Hobby Airport. He was employed at a convenience store in the same part of town. He hailed from Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government of Imo State, Nigeria.

According to Cash Ezimakor, one of his friends and kinfolks who spoke to USAfrica The Newspaper and USAfricaonline.com " it's a terrible and sad week for us. We call on members of the community to support us in doing a dignified and proper transition of Jonas."

He was 40 years, and had no kids. He is said to be a very religious person, and a very friendly individual. He attended a Lutheran Church in the area he lived.

There is a plan to ship to ship his body back home by the end of February 2001. Interested well-wishers who wish to support the wake-keeping on February 10, 2001 to be held in Houston may contact Mr. Ezimako at 281-564-8984. E-Mail: casmir.ezimako@phs.com.

Many of his family friends and neighbors suspect that it was an act of premeditated murder. Investigators from the Houston Police Department are said to be closing in on a few suspects, according to our sources, "including a very, very close person.'

I asked another source, a relative of the late Jonas, whether Jonas kept "complicated comapny." Specifically, I wanted to know and asked "if Jonas used drugs, any drugs or dealt in the company of persons who could have gone after him for any other reason" Affirmatively, I am informed, he neither ever smoked cigaratte nor used any form form of narcotics. He kept 'very good company. He was a good man."

I'll report additional information on the unfortunate murder of one of our own. Worse, his aging mother is heart-broken in Amaigbo, awaiting the "arrival" of the remains of her only son. What a sad turn for a promising and striving fellow. May Jonas' soul rest in peace.
Nwangwu, recipient of the Journalism Excellence Award, HABJ 1997, served on the editorial board of The Daily Times of Nigeria, and traveled with and covered President Bill Clinton's visit to parts of Africa,March -April, 1998. He is the founder and publisher of The Black Business Journal, BBJonline.com, USAfrica The Newspaper, NigeriaCentral.com and the first African-owned, U.S.-based professional newspaper to be published on the Internet, USAfricaonline.com

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