The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 70-year-old man, Mr. Nwokocha Stephen Irobunda, over the alleged fatal shooting of 30-year-old Mr. Bright Odizuru in Ohokobe Ndume, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. The incident, which has sparked tension in the community, occurred on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
According to Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer, law enforcement officials were alerted to the situation by the Ehimiri Police Station. Police officers arrived at the scene in time to rescue Irobunda from an angry mob that was attempting to lynch him.
“The police have such a report. The crime scene has been visited and investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Chinaka stated.
The incident reportedly started when some local youths were playing football near Irobunda’s house, despite the state-imposed movement restriction due to local government elections. A local source revealed that Irobunda had repeatedly warned the youths to stop playing near his residence, but they allegedly ignored him.
“Probably, after a series of warnings, the youths ignored him, leading to an altercation between the aged man and the youths,” the source explained.
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Witnesses said that Irobunda initially fired shots into the air, possibly intending to scare the young men away. Although the youths temporarily left, they later regrouped and returned to his house, reportedly seeking an explanation for his threatening behavior. According to the source, the situation escalated when Irobunda allegedly went inside, retrieved his dane gun, and fired at the youths. The gunshot struck Odizuru in the abdomen, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Odizuru, who was from Ohuhu in the same local government area and had maternal ties to Ohokobe, was mourned deeply by community members. The tragic incident fueled anger among the local youth, who attempted to attack Irobunda and damage his property. Police arrived in time to prevent the mob from lynching the elderly man, urging them to allow justice to take its course.
Currently, Irobunda is in police custody, while the Abia State Criminal Investigation Department continues its investigation into the incident.