Emma Elekwa, Onitsha
A student was on Friday allegedly shot dead by a member of a local vigilante in Ozubulu community, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The deceased, Isaac Ubah, said to be a student of Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, reportedly had misunderstanding with his brother but was later resolved by their kinsmen.
The Nation gathered that some members of the Ozubulu Vigilante Service, around 2am the next day, however stormed the compound in the guise of intervening in the already settled matter but were rebuffed by the deceased.
A resident of the area who preferred anonymity, said trouble ensued when the vigilante who was not comfortable with his approach engaged him in a verbal war.
“As soon as the man demanded to know why they had come to intervene in a matter that had already been settled, argument ensued, which led to a fight.
“While they were arguing, one of the vigilante men opened fire on the boy and shot him thrice and ran away,” he said.
The man however hinted that the deceased gave up on the way to the hospital.
The Nation further gathered immediately the news of the death filtered into town, angry youths rushed out in their numbers and set the vigilante’s vehicles on fire.
It was also gathered that houses of some of the members of the vigilance were also set on fire.
Confirming the incident, the PPRO in the State, Haruna Mohammed said the principal suspect has been arrested with the pump action used in perpetrating the crime recovered.
He said: “On the 24/01/2019 at about 12:00hrs, there was a distress call that vigilante group led by one Friday Nwachukwu ‘m’ of Udorji road Ozubulu went to Akwa village to effect arrest of one Kelvin Ubah ‘m’ who allegedly escaped arrest over yet to be ascertained offense but his brother one Isaac Ubah came out from the house and demanded for reasons why the vigilante group are looking for his brother.
“Consequently, struggle ensued between them and on the process one of the Vigilante member namely Friday Nwachukwu ‘m’ allegedly shot Isaac Ubah on his chest with a Pump action and hurriedly left the scene.
“Police Patrol team attached to Ozubulu division rushed to the scene and took the victim to Access hospital for treatment but was later certified dead by a medical doctor.
“However, youths of the village in their hundreds mobilised to the vigilante office and set ablaze two of their Hilux vehicles.
Assuring that calm has been restored in the area, Mohammed said the corpse has been deposited at the hospital morgue for postmortem examination.
“The case is under investigation after which suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution,” he said.
