Tension as vigilant operative is killed in Okpoko

Tension is mounting in Onitsha following the murder a vigilant operative in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State as a result of protracted leadership crisis between two rival groups in the community.

It was gathered that one of the vigilant operatives, Emmmanuel Nwankwo, working for Chief Edwin Emesinwa and a father of six, was matcheted and clubbed to death near Okpoko town hall, a sprawling suburb of Onitsha on Thursday night as they were returning their security vehicle to the town hall.

According to Comrade Udensi Obinna, who claimed to be Okpoko Youth leader, former Caretaker Committee of Okpoko, Hon. Linus Ezenwanma and his secretary, Ugochukwu Ejezi, after being ejected from the office through a consent judgment of an Anambra State High Court vowed to return back to office by force.

Udesnsi alleged that both of them brought hoodlums who terrorised the community in spite of the fact that the two parties had resorted to both Police Force Headquarters, Abuja and Zone 9 Police Command, Umuahia.

It was on Thursday night, said Udensi, who belongs to Emesinwa camp, as they were returning the security van that hoodlums loyal to Ezenwanma descended on them, matcheted Nwankwo to death, while his three other colleagues escaped with severe injuries.

But when contacted, both Ezenwanma and Ejezie denied and said they were not town. Ezenwamma said he was out of Anambra State for his examination, saying that he has no hand in the alleged killing.

However, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Okpoko Police Division, Gabriel Elaigwu, confirmed the incident and said the matter has been transferred to the Police homicide section in the state. He said no arrest has been made as they were yet to know who were responsible saying that investigation was still going-on.