Two vigilantes arrested for allegedly killing man in Enugu

By STANLEY NWANOSIKE

The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested two Vigilante Group members, for allegedly killing one Philip Okoro, 22, at Nkpologwu community in Uzo-Uwani council area, by shooting him.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Friday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the alleged shooting took place on June 29 while the victim was rushed to the hospital and later confirmed dead on June 30 at about 3 p.m. by doctors on duty.

According to Ndukwe, the deceased’s corpse has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

He said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawal Abubakar, had ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a full-scale investigation into the case.

“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.

“Additionally, the pump action gun used for the act has been recovered as well,” he said.

Ndukwe also revealed that in a protest over the death of the victim, an angry mob set ablaze the house of the team leader of the Vigilante Group.

“However, the fire was put out by police operatives, who swiftly mobilised to the scene on receipt of a distress call, before the building could be burnt down,” he said.

The police spokesman said that 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.” (NAN)