A middle aged man has been allegedly shot dead by a security personnel in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

A resident of the area, who prefered anonymity, said the security officer had mistaken the deceased for a notorious cultist (popularly known as China) he was trailing.

He said: “The security men were looking for a cultist who ran into the dead man’s compound. The man woke up and was about to pray with the family when he was shot.

“He didn’t even know someone ran into his compound. He came out to urinate and join his family for prayer before going to see the wife who put to bed early this morning.

“The next thing heard was gunshot. He had not even seen his new born child, and he himself is an only son too," he said.

It was further learnt the killing sparked off protest by youths in the community who took the corpse to the local government headquarters, demanding to see the chairman.

The protesters were said to have been blocked by soldiers, barring both staff and visitors from entering the premises.

Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said the suspect has been arrested with the arm recovered, adding that law and order have been restored in the area

He said: “Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations led operatives to the Ogidi community, following a protest by the community members alleging a member of the vigilante operatives shooing one of their indigenes in the community.

“Meanwhile, law and order have been restored in the area and the suspect has been arrested with the arm recovered," he added.(The Nation)