Angry mob has lynched a suspected cultist, Chima, also known as Jasper, after stabbing a mechanic Chigozie Anumwee to death over a minor quarrel at Umuonyeashi, Nsokpo Ogbaku in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, on Fridaym
It was learnt that Jasper, who hails from Amakohia Ubi in Owerri West LGA but lives in his maternal home, was allegedly stoned to death by an angry mob after reportedly stabbing Anumwee to death.
It was also gathered that the tragedy occurred at about 11am on Friday at Umuonyeashi, Nsokpo Ogbaku, and the people of the community retaliated almost immediately and stoned Jasper to death.
A community source, who pleaded anonymity, said Jasper stabbed the deceased from Lawa in Isi-Ogbaku autonomous community in the lower abdomen after a little quarrel ensued between them.
He said the young man attempted to run but was apprehended by the mob when they realized the victim had died, beating him and stoning him to death.
Confirming the incident, the Secretary of Ogbaku Youth Association, Justice Chukwunatu Nwafor, said the matter had been reported to the police at Ogbaku Police Division and that normalcy has been restored in the area.
He described the incident as “the height of barbarism at this time and age”.
When reached, Henry Okoye, spokesman for the Imo State Police Command, confirmed the incident.
He said, “Acting on information received on 21/04/2023 at about 0930hrs, that one Chima ‘m’ surname yet unknown stabbed one Chigozie Anuwe ‘m’ of Umunegelawa, Ogbaku, to death with a dagger, operatives of Ogbakwu divisional headquarter swiftly mobilised to the scene.
“On arrival at the scene the team realised that the suspect Chima have already been lynched by angry mob, he was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival. Both corpses have been deposited at the mortuary.
“Preliminary investigation is ongoing at Ogbakwu and subsequently will transferred to State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) for in-dept investigation.
“Members of the public are advised to shun jungle justice, extra judicial killings and avoid taking Laws into their hand as we live in a civil society and not in a jungle. They are encouraged to promptly report any activity of similar nature to the nearest Police station or via the Command’s emergency line 0803773600 or 08098880197.
