By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Noel Okechukwu, a final-year student of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra state, has been shot dead.
It was gathered that the deceased was shot dead on Aug. 17 at Sen. Stella Oduah’s Estate, Akili-Ozizor Community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state by the local vigilante operatives attached to the estate.
The family members of the victim said the local security of the community extrajudicially killed Okechukuwu.
The allegation was, however, denied by security operatives who alleged that the boy was shot because he was one of those that had been “looting and vandalising” property in the estate.
Rex Okechukwu, father of the boy, said that the local vigilante operatives shot his son dead inside the estate as he was going to buy fresh fish.
The father, quoted eyewitnesses, as having said the shooting occurred after an altercation ensued between the guards and his son in a strongly-worded petition the family sent to the Divisional Police Officer at Ogbaru Police Division, Atani.
The petition read, “The incident occurred on Saturday, August 17, 2024. On the said day, my son, Noel Okechukwu, a 27-year old final year student of Ojukwu varsity, had left for Senator Stella Oduah’s Estate at Akili-Ozizor, a neighbouring community to buy fresh fish at a fish pond located inside the estate.
“On getting to the gate leading to the entrance of the estate, the private security guards guarding the Estate disallowed him entrance and an altercation ensued between the guards and himself leading to one of the guards pulling the trigger of his pump action riffle and pumping bullets into his body which made him to slump.
“Soon after gunning him down, the guards started giving him water to drink and as soon as he took some quantities of the water, he gave up the ghost and the guards sent a motorcyclist who rushed to inform the bereaved family of the unfortunate incident.
“We, as the family members, are demanding justice against the private guards because they had no right to take the life of our son in such a brutish manner.”
When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, at Atani, Mr I. Andrew, confirmed the receipt of a petition.
Andrew added that the report he had concerning the incident was that the deceased was among those who had been looting and vandalising property inside at the estate.
He said, “Yes, we have received a petition concerning the alleged shooting and killing.
“But the report I had before me concerning the incident is that the deceased was among those who had been looting and vandalising property inside the estate.
“Apart from that community being a known gunmen-infested area, they said the deceased was caught with his gang members armed with pump action guns looting and vandalising the estate, and when confronted, they opened fire on the security guards and the guards returned fire for the fire which led to his being gunned down.”
Andrew said he had concluded arrangements to transfer the case file to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
