Tension gripped Mgbakwu community in Awka North of Anambra State on Friday as hundreds of youths staged a protest over the alleged killing of a young man by a vigilante operative.
The victim, identified simply as Akidi, was reportedly shot on Thursday in circumstances residents described as both shocking and avoidable.
Eyewitnesses claimed he was standing by the roadside with his wife when a firearm, said to be in the possession of a member of the state-backed Udogachi security outfit, discharged and struck him.
Although details surrounding the incident remain unclear, community members believe the shooting was accidental. However, the explanation has done little to calm anger among residents, who insist that such incidents have become recurring.
Inside Anambra:
Anambra Arrests Native Doctor Over Wealth Rituals
Police Rescue Kidnapped Electrician in Anambra Bush, Arrest Three Suspects
Vigilante in Anambra Sentenced to Death for Murdering Phone Repairer
During the protest, youths blocked access to a major market in the area, disrupting normal activities as they demanded justice for the deceased.
Carrying fresh leaves and chanting solidarity songs, the demonstrators later embarked on a motorcade procession toward Awka, the state capital, located several kilometres away.
Protesters called on the state government to urgently intervene and impose stricter controls on vigilante operatives to prevent further loss of life.
Some participants referenced a similar incident about a year ago, when another youth in the community was allegedly killed by a stray bullet linked to the same security outfit.
“This is one death too many. We cannot continue to lose our people like this,” one of the protest leaders was heard saying in a video that circulated widely on social media.
The demonstrators were reportedly heading to the Government House to present their grievances, though it was not immediately clear if they were received by government officials.
As of the time of filing this report, the Udogachi vigilante outfit had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, while residents continue to demand accountability and justice for the slain youth.
About the Author
