The serenity of Mbodo community, Aluu, in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, was shattered on Tuesday when a member of a local security outfit, Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Committee, shot dead a man, Franklin Orji, at his residence.
This came barely three days after a former commander of the disbanded vigilance group allegedly killed a youth leader, .Okechukwu Eleonu, in Ndele community, in the Emohua LGA.
On the latest incident, it was gathered that Franklin was seated in front of his house when a stray bullet from the OSPAC vigilante hit him.
The vigilante, identified simply as Kingsley, was said to be chasing a suspected criminal who ran through the residence of the late Franklin.
In an attempt to bring down the suspect, he opened fire, which hit Franklin.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the vigilante rushed the victim to a hospital, where he died.
The incident reportedly sparked outrage, as some community youths attempted to burn the vigilante’s house but for the intervention of security agencies.
But Franklin’s widow, Josephine Orji, faulted the claim that the vigilante was chasing a suspect, saying her late husband was shot twice.
She said, “It was around two minutes past 12am when I heard two gunshots. The next thing, my husband shouted, ‘Are you people killing me in my house?’
“He then fell. That was the last thing I heard from him. They later came with a motorcycle to pick him.”
Asked who fired the shot, she mentioned one Kingsley, whom she said was her late husband’s relative.
“He is also an OSPAC member,” the widow said.
The deceased’s younger brother, Bright Orji, said the vigilance group was acting irresponsibly.
While describing his late brother as a gentleman, he called on the state government to look into the activities of the group in the community.
He said, “Let the government look into their activities because OSPAC is taking us for a ride in our community. We don’t have guns, machetes or anyone to fight for us.”
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect had been arrested.
“The suspect has been arrested and the matter transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation,” she added.
