Protest as vigilante kills one, injures two in Delta

UGHELLI — PANDEMO-NIUM broke out, yesterday, in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, following the alleged killing of a middle aged man by men of the Ughelli vigilante.
The killing of the young man  identified as Avwerosuo Idoro, 28, led to a protest by some youths in the Ughelli metropolis who carried the corpse of the victim to the palace of the Ovie of Ughelli kingdom and the Ughelli Police ‘A’ division, seeking redress.
According to a reliable source, two of the protesters were also allegedly shot by the vigilante in a bid to disperse them, adding that the two yet-to-be identified persons  have been taken to the Ughelli Central Hospital for treatment.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the corpse of Avwerosuo Idoro had been deposited in the Ughelli central hospital morgue on the orders of the police. Efforts to reach the leadership of the Ughelli vigilante team for comment on the matter proved abortive at press time.
Giving details of what led to the killing of the young man, the source said: “The compound of Avwerosuo’s father at Akpomedaye Street was used for a marriage ceremony.
“After the marriage, Avwerosuo who took over the late father’s estate called the celebrants to clean up the compound. This resulted in serious argument, which led to a fight between Avwerosuo and a boy suspected to be a relative of the celebrant. Members of the Ughelli vigilante team came into the matter and Avwerosuo was arrested and granted bail by the police last Monday.
“After Avwerosuo was granted bail, a member of the Vigilante group threatened that he was going to deal with Avwerosuo. So, yesterday (Saturday) evening Avwerosuo went to eat in restaurant at Upper Afiesere road and the vigilante member who had threatened to deal with him met him there and shot him.”
“Avwerosuo was immediately rushed to the hospital after it was confirmed that he was shot by the vigilante member. Unfortunately, he died this morning (yesterday) at the Ughelli central hospital, which made us to embark on this protest. Until his death, Avwerosuo was a trainee welder.
“And as we were protesting this morning (yesterday), the vigilante team came and two people among us were shot, one on the back, while the other was shot on the leg. As we speak, they are at the Ughelli central hospital receiving treatment.
“We, therefore, appeal to the police and the Delta State Government to get to the root of this matter.”
Contacted, a senior police officer attached to the Ughelli Police ‘A’ division, who pleaded anonymity confirmed the incident, saying justice would be done in the matter, but could not confirm whether any arrest had been made.
SOURCE : VANGUARD ONLINE