Two vigilante members have been arrested by the police for allegedly killing a 22-year-old, Philip Okoro, at Nkpologwu community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that Philip Okoro was shot dead by some members of Neighborhood Watch led by its chairman, and Chief Security Officer of the local government, Barr. Chijioke Ezugwu.
The state police spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday said the alleged shooting took place on June 29.
Nudukwe said the victim was rushed to the hospital and was later confirmed dead on June 30 by the doctors on duty.
The corpse had been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The State Commissioner of Police, Lawal Abubakar, had ordered the deputy commissioner of police in-charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a full-scale investigation into the case, the police spokesperson said.
“Consequently, two members of the Vigilante Group directly linked to the shooting and murder of the victim have been arrested.
“They include one Annene Idu alleged to have shot the deceased, and Chijioke Ezugwu, the Chief Security Officer of the Local Government Area, said to have led the Vigilante Group members to the scene of the incident to arrest hard drugs dealers.
“The pump action gun used for the act has been recovered as well,” he said.
Ndukwe said an angry mob, which protested the killing, set fire on the house of the team leader of the vigilante group.
“Police operatives, who swiftly mobilised to the scene on receipt of a distress call, put the fire out, before the building could be burnt down,” he said.
The police said normalcy had been restored in the area.
“The commissioner has entreated residents of the community to remain law-abiding and avoid acts capable of breaching public peace in the area.”