Ebubeagu operatives reportedly kills 22-year-old in Imo

A local vigilante outfit of the Imo State government, Ebubeagu, has killed a 22-year-old man, Chigozie Igbo, at Okwu Umuoke in Atta Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.

The outfit killed the Chigozie during their search for the Eastern Security Network(ESN) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

An eye witness, Pastor Christopher Okewuihe, of the Defenders of Faith Church disclosed the incident to newsmen in Owerri Wednesday.

He said the deceased was sitting alongside 3 other youths from the community precisely beside a roadside food vendor when they sighted the vigilante group in 2 Hilux vehicle advanced towards them.

On sighting the vigilante outfit, the youths made an attempt to run but they opened fire on them and Chigozie was hit by their bullet and he died instantly while they continue chasing the other 3.

As of the time of this report, the community is still searching for the 3 youths, but a source from the community has expressed fears that they might have been detained or killed.

He said: “It’s unfortunate, I saw them with my own eyes, I was just going to buy something when I saw the 2 Hilux with some men with arms wearing black attire, they said they are Ebubeagu, the boys saw them and started running, they opened fire on them and killed Chigozie.”

He said that the other three boys continue running and nobody has seen where they are till now, whether they might have been taken away or killed.

The incident which occurred on January 28 has thrown the whole community into a mourning mood, while the mother, Mrs Mercilina, is yet to get over the shock.

She said: “I want my son, please whoever know where they have sent him should still bring him back to me, he is my only child, how can I survive without him,” the widow lamented.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Imo State Police Command, ACP Michael Abattam, when contacted has denied knowledge of the incident, insisting that he has not been briefed.