Violence over DPO’s alleged killing of LG worker in Enugu

[MrVan]

BY TONY EDIKE

ENUGU – VIOLENCE erupted at Ibagwa-Aka in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, yesterday, following alleged killing of a resident by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in the town.

The deceased, identified as Ifeanyi Omeke from Umu Ela Village, Echarra Quarters, Ibagwa-Aka, was allegedly shot in the head by the DPO at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Sources said Omeke, who was in his late 20s, was walking along the street with three other persons when the DPO halted them.

Omeke's colleagues were said to have ran, but Omeke stayed back to answer the police officer who allegedly pulled a gun and shot him.

His body was later taken to the divisional police headquarters, where a pistol was reportedly placed beside him to indicate that he was a robbery suspect.

The development was said to have provoked the youths who regrouped and planned to attack the police station in protest against the alleged killing .

However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraiizu, said it was not the DPO that shot the deceased.

He told Vanguard that the victim was a revenue collector who was shot dead by two unidentified attackers who drove in a black car, in a bid to stop them from taking an impounded motorcycle to the Revenue Office in the council secretariat.

He said: "On Wednesday, July 20 at about 12.20pm, one Obinna Nathaniel of Umuossai village in Igboeze South reported that he was on duty as Revenue Collector at Otakala Iheakpu-Awka where he accosted two motorcyclists for alleged revenue offences.

"The impounded motorcycles were being taking to the council secretariat by two other revenue staff when two unidentified gunmen shot one of them to prevent them from taking the motorcycles to the office. They fled after shooting the victim."

Vanguard