By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
A thirty five year old man, Mr Chukwudi Chukwu has been shot dead by a self acclaimed vigilante in Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The deceased was said to be attending a wake with his friend at Nediokpa village in Okposi community when a gun wielding man identified as Hosanna Aju allegedly opened fire on him.
The victim, Mr Chukwudi Chukwu from Amoji Nenwe in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State had concluded plans to wed his wife on first of next month before his life was cut shut by the self acclaimed vigilante.
According to his friend whom the deceased accompanied to the wake, Mr Innocent Ezeogo told i-Turning Point reporters that the gun man approached them shortly after arriving in the venue and insisted to fire a shot in their midst.
He noted that they protested against the move and when they stood up to leave the venue, the gunman shot his friend dead.
The victim’s wife, Mrs Juliana Nnamani said she was still in shock over the development as she did her best to stop the husband from attending the wake.
She called on the police to ensure diligent prosecution of the culprit who killed her husband.
A brother to the deceased, Mr Emeka Chukwu emphasised that the incident was a pointer to the number of illegal arms in circulation in the country and called on the police to recover such arms to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, DSP Loveth Oda explained that the culprit had been arrested and that investigations revealed that he was not a vigilante in Okposi and could not explain the source of a locally made double barrel short gun which he used to commit the crime.
Mrs Oda said plans had been concluded to arraign the suspect and called on community leaders in the state to report any person in possession of illegal firearms to the police.
