Abia: Vigilante kills fast food staff over missing phone

A security staff of Choice Fast food at Okpara square, Umuahia, has shot dead another employee of the company.

The killing took place in front of the fast food, beside a new-generation bank on Sunday.

The victim, who was simply identified as Izuchukwu from Umuosu Nkwoegwu Ohuhu, Umuahia North LGA and aged 27, was shot dead on Sunday by a staff of Abia State Vigilante Service popularly known as Bakassi.

However, the Abia State Vigilante Service has clarified that the incident was not a deliberate action but an accidental discharge from the personnel’s gun.

Izuchukwu, who worked in the store department of the fast food company before his death, was shot dead over a missing phone.

An account of the incident claimed that a customer who patronized the fast food earlier in the day returned to complain that he forgot his phone when leaving.

The management of The Choice was said to have referred the customer to Izuchukwu who on enquiry, denied seeing or holding any missing phone.

According to the story, an Abia State Vigilante Service man who was engaged to work in the restaurant, confronted the late Izuchukwu, accusing him of being responsible for the missing phone which the young man again denied.

The Vigilante staff who was alleged to be drunk, allegedly suddenly pulled his service pump action and fired Izuchukwu on the lap in close range, shattering his leg in the process.

The gunshots terrified other customers in the restaurant who took to their heels to avoid any backlash.

On realising his action, the vigilante man removed his service uniform and tried to use it in stopping the sea of blood that was pumping out of the victim’s body.

The victim, according to an eye witness, was later taken to an undisclosed hospital in the city by the management of the fast food but he, unfortunately, died by Sunday evening.

Explaining the cause of the incident to journalists, the Abia State Vigilante Service said the unfortunate shooting resulted from an accidental discharge.

The spokesman of the Abia State security outfit, Mr Ben Uche who gave the explanation at NUJ press centre Umuahia, said the security staff did not intend to kill the victim but was on a peace restoration mission when the accidental discharge happened.