In Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, aggrieved youths have set ablaze houses and shops, driven by the alleged killing of a local youth named Friday Njoku by members of a vigilante group operating in the area.
An unnamed source from the community, who spoke to NewsNow under anonymity, shared that the irate youths have accused Emmanuel Abakporo, an official at the Nigeria Correctional Service state command and leader of the vigilante group, of orchestrating Njoku’s demise.
Fueled by anger over Njoku’s death, the youths stormed Abakporo’s residence on Tuesday, assaulting his son until he lost consciousness. Subsequently, they targeted his wife’s store, setting it ablaze.
Describing the incident, the source stated, “Our community is in chaos. The youth are incensed. On Sunday, a young man named Friday Njoku was murdered, his body left on display. Eyewitnesses affirm that he was fatally shot by the community’s security personnel.”
“The youth group mobilized and attacked the leader of the security men’s residence on Tuesday morning, but he was not present. They vandalized his wife’s shop after assaulting his son into a comatose state. Later, they incited a fire at his residence.”
Updating on the situation, the state police command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the dispatch of personnel to the scene under the directives of State Commissioner of Police Danjuma Aboki to address the crisis.
Okoye disclosed that firefighting crews had also been deployed to extinguish the flames. Furthermore, an investigation has been launched by the police command to apprehend those responsible for the unrest.