NB247
Reports from Imo State have indicated that a vigilante leader and another vigilante member were killed on Wednesday when gunmen attacked Amakohia-Ubi, a community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m, leading residents to flee to neighbouring communities for safety.
A resident of the Amakohia-Ubi Community who identified himself simply as Mr Paul, told Vanguard newspaper that the vigilante leader, Monday Nwaozuzu, was shot dead during the attack.
“The dead, wounded, and missing persons are all members of our community vigilante group. Monday Nwaozuzu was killed by the herdsmen, while others are still missing or wounded. At least three members of the vigilante were caught up in the clash,” he said.
Another resident, who asked not to be named, explained that the trouble started when vigilante members tried to prevent herders and their cattle from entering farmlands around a school axis in the community.
“It is routine for our vigilantes to guard our farms. Yesterday (Wednesday), they encountered the herders and asked them to turn back, but they refused. Unknown to our men, the herders were fully armed.
“Suddenly, they opened fire, killing Monday and injuring another. Since then, we have been combing the bushes, searching for those missing,” the resident narrated.
There however fears among the residents that the attackers had abducted some vigilante operatives.
They said that when some residents phoned one of the vigilante members on Thursday morning, a suspected herder picked up the call.
“For now, no one can say whether our brothers are dead or just abducted. This is not the first time our community has suffered such attacks in recent months,” he lamented.
When contacted on Friday morning, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the attack.
Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said the vigilante leader and another vigilante member were shot by the bandits during the attack.
“But while one (the vigilante leader) died instantly, the other died while receiving treatment,” he said.
The spokesperson said the police in the state had begun an investigation into the incident and vowed that the attackers would be tracked down.