Ebonyi Family Demands Justice Over Son’s Attackers


The family of Mr. Chijioke Chukwuoyi, who was allegedly shot by leader of Agu N’eche Mba Neighbourhood Security Watch, Mr. Michael Nwani, under controversial circumstances last month, has appealed to the relevant authorities to prosecute and bring the attacker to justice.

Mr Chukwuoyi, a father of two children, was reportedly shot by the vigilante operative at the Orie Market, Umuniko Isu, in Onicha local government area of Ebonyi state, on September 17, 2020.


According to the victim’s wife, Ginika, the victim was attacked by the vigilante leader, also known as ‘Eze Ndigbo’, when he tried to prevent him and his group from beating his kinsman they accused of being in possession of marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) to death.

She recalled: “The man was subjected to severe brutality by Mr. Nwani and his group. My husband approached the same members of the security guard to plead on behalf of the alleged drug addict, but unfortunately, he was given a severe slap by one of the guards, who ordered him to move out of the place for questioning their activities.

“When my husband received rains of slaps from one of the guards, he gave back the same guard his own dosage of slap, and immediately, fight ensued between him and the group,” she narrated.

Mrs Chukwuoyi further disclosed that Mr. Nwani, who was watching the fracas from a distance, allegedly rushed to the scene and shot the victim on his chest and arms.

She explained that the victim was abandoned to his fate after the shooting by Mr. Nwani and his boys, until after some hours when some sympathisers and petty traders rushed him to a nearby clinic for treatment.

According to her, when the group learnt a day after that Mr. Chukwuoyi was still alive, the guards hurriedly went to Isu Police Division and reported that they saw a criminal nursing bullet wounds in the health facility, and relying on the misinformation, police operatives went and arrested the victim at the hospital.

“The police, on their part, even compounded my husband’s condition as they grabbed and dumped him in their cell without giving him access to medical treatment or minding the danger associated with the live bullet in his body,” she decried.



It was learnt that through the intervention of the members of the Human Right, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders (HURIDE), the principal accused person and two others were arrested, while the victim was taken to the police clinic for further treatment.

Speaking, the state chairman of HURIDE, Mr. Sam Oko Nweke, alleged that the main suspect, Mr. Michael Nwani, had earlier denied shooting the victim; but following affirmative testimony given against him by a participator, he (Mr. Nwani) admitted to the crime.

“After the three suspected persons had been arrested and brought to Ebonyi state police headquarters, surprisingly, the following morning, we went back and discovered that they had been released.

“In our insistence to ensure that justice is obtained in the matter, we contacted Police Public Relation Officer, Mrs. Loveth Odah, and told her about the suspicious antics exhibited by the people, who are handling the matter.

“Through the effort, positive result was attained as the prime suspect, Mr. Michael Nwani, was re-arrested,” he explained.

“Following result of X-ray showing that many bullets are in the victim’s body, and the request made by HURIDE officials, Mr. Chijioke Chukwuoyi had been taken to an independent hospital where the substances could be removed.”

HURIDE, however, vowed to follow the matter to ensure that justice is given to the victim.

Contacted, DSP Loveth Odah, police public relations officer Ebonyi Command, confirmed the report and said SARS department of the police is investigating the matter.

“I think the matter is being investigated by the police, and vigilante group are not authorised to use firearms, especially prohibited ones.

“SARS department is investigating the matter. The other day, they went to the place with the complainant to see the scene and the matter is seriously under investigation. At the end of the investigation, we shall know the circumstances that led to the shooting.

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