Accidental Discharge from Vigilante Operative’s Gun Kills Father of Four

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
A 34-year-old man at the weekend lost his life at Alaife Umuaku Uli, in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State following suspected accidental discharge from the gun of a vigilante operative, identified as Chinedu Ibeanozie.

The deceased, Lotachukwu Nwagboso of Ndikpo Umuaku Uli, a Disc Jockey (DJ) and father of four, was said to have gone to the community to play music for the burial ceremony of one Vitalis Ihemeje, but was allegedly gunned down by the suspect who is presently at large.

According to an eyewitness account, the suspect had put a gun on his motorcycle with the nuzzle pointing out, and in attempt to start the bike, the gun went off, killing the deceased on the spot.

He said the death sparked off outrage as youths of Ndikpo went on rampage, destroying property and pulling down houses belonging to the suspect as well as those of the family organising the burial ceremony of their father.
Reacting, the elder brother of the suspect, Ifeanyi Ibeanozie, said they were friends of the bereaved family, hence their commitment to ensure the success of the burial.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nkiruka Nwode, called on community leaders to be mindful of the kind of people they appoint as vigilante and implored the people to give the police information that would help them apprehend the suspect.