Stray bullet kills lawyer as Imo task force, NURTW clash

There was panic in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Thursday, when officials of the Owerri Capital Development Authority and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state clashed.

The incident, which happened at the Control Post Roundabout in Owerri, caused commotion and gridlock in the area.

While gunshots rent the air, a passer-by, who was later identified as Amaechi Udogaranya, was hit by a stray bullet.

The lawyer, who hailed from the Oguta Local Government Area of the state, was confirmed dead in a hospital.

The victim, who owned a law firm in Owerri, was on his way to pick his children from school when he was shot dead.

A relative, who asked not to be identified, told our correspondent that their village was mourning the tragedy.

The source said, “Barrister Amaechi Udogaranya, who was from Oguta, was killed by a stray bullet during the fracas. He was happily married with kids. This is most unfortunate.”

PUNCH Metro gathered that the fracas ensued after the OCDA agents invaded the area and dispersed passengers on the pretext of enforcing the Owerri master plan.

After the NURTW workers failed to stop them, the warring groups resorted to engaging one another with weapons, which led to a free-for-all.

Vehicles were reportedly vandalized as policemen were deployed in the scene to quell the crisis.

Our correspondent was told that the Chairman of the NURTW in the state, Sam Udeh, arrived at the scene and called the workers to order.

PUNCH Metro, during a visit to the scene, observed as armed policemen maintained law and order.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Micheal Abattam, said the command had restored normalcy in the area.

A lawyer, Ephraim Anthony, told our correspondent that the Owerri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association was saddened by the loss.   ,,

(Courtesy The PUNCH: Excluding headline)