A popular restaurant owner, identified simply as Oforma (aka Ofor Onye Ofe Olugbu) was on Monday night shot dead at Ogrute roundabout in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State by vigilante operatives known as Neighbourhood Watch in the area.

It was gathered the security team had gone to arrest someone in Offor’s restaurant but were resisted.

The situation, eye witnesses said, degenerated into a fight between the restaurant owner and the security operatives.

In the ensuing fracas, the restaurant owner was shot in the back by one of the security operatives.

The eyewitness further narrated that on seeing what had happened, the security men took to their heels, abandoning their vehicle which was later set ablaze by the angry youths.

The victim was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital Ogrute where he was confirmed dead in the early hours of Tuesday.

A viral video of the security vehicle belonging to the neighborhood watch group was seen in flames as it was set ablaze by irate youths who trooped out to confront the security operatives.

Latest information also indicated that the youths have launched a manhunt for the fleeing security personnel.

A group known as Concerned Igboeze North Youths (CINY) confirmed the development in a post on social media on Tuesday morning.

The post reads: “We lost him. The guy that was allegedly shot dead by Igboeze North LGA Security personnel. St Mary’s hospital doctor at Ogrute confirmed him dead.

“This is so bad to say RIP. A breadwinner is gone; a father is gone; someone’s husband is gone; someone’s son; Uncle, brother, in-law etc is gone”.

They called on Igboeze North political leaders, the police, the chairman of the local government, the State Government and other relevant agencies to commence an urgent investigation to bring the culprits to justice.

Enugu Police Command was yet to react to the development as of the time of filing this report. (Text, excluding headline: The Nation)

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