Panic has once again become the order of the day in Ozubulu community, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, after a local vigilante in the community killed a returnee student over a family squabble.

Information gathered by News Express has it that Isaac Ubah, reportedly a student of Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, and his brother Kelvin Ubah had a misunderstanding on Wednesday, January 23, which was later settled by their kinsmen.

But at 2am the next day, some members of the Ozubulu Vigilante Service (OVS) stormed the compound to settle the same matter.

The deceased, who was said to have come on a visit from school, demanded to know why they had come to intervene in a matter that had already been settled by their kinsmen.

According to a source who pleaded anonymity, an argument ensued between the boy and the vigilante group, who claimed they were called into the matter by someone.

The source said: “While they were arguing, one of the vigilante men opened fire on the boy and shot him thrice before they ran away. He died on the way to the hospital

“As soon as news filtered into town, angry youths rushed out in their numbers and set the security vehicles parked at the office of the OVS on fire.

“The houses of some of the members of the OVS were also set on fire which could be seen from the neighboring village.”

Policemen later arrived the area to douse the growing tension.

In his reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the arrest of the perpetrator of the shooting.

A statement made available to journalists in Awka reads in part: “On the 24/01/2019 at about 12:00hrs, there was a distress call that vigilante group led by one Friday Nwachukwu of Udorji road Ozubulu went to Akwa village to effect arrest of one Kelvin Ubah who allegedly escaped arrest over yet to be ascertained offense but his brother one Isaac Ubah came out from the house and demanded for reasons why the vigilante group are looking for his brother.

“Consequently, struggle ensued between them and on the process one of the Vigilante member namely Friday Nwachukwu allegedly shot Isaac Ubah on his chest with a Pump action and hurriedly left the scene.

“Police Patrol team attached to Ozubulu division rushed to the scene and took the victim to Access hospital for treatment but was later certified dead by a medical doctor.

“However, youths of the village in their hundreds mobilised to the vigilante office and set ablaze two of their Hilux vehicles.”

The PPRO said that the situation was brought under control by police patrol teams led by the Area Commander Oraifite, adding that the principal suspect was arrested and the Pump action used in perpetrating the crime recovered.

Mohammed said the corpse was photographed and deposited at the hospital morgue for postmortem examination even as case is under investigation after which suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution.

Update news