THE Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest and detention of an operative of the state vigilante service popularly known as Bakassi.
The Abia State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna in a telephone interview with our correspondent also confirmed the detention vigilante personnel attached to a popular fast food in Umuahia, the state capital.
Ogbonna gave the name of the suspect as Ernest Udemezeugo, aged 48 years old, while the deceased was identified as Izuchukwu Mbakwe, 29 years old.
While report about the incident was still sketchy at the time of filing the report, it was gathered that the Bakassi personnel killed late Mbakwe, a staff of the fast food located near a popular roundabout in Umuahia for allegedly stealing Nokia Phone.
Reports have it that the late Mbakwe who hails from Okaiuga Nkwoegwu in Umuahia North local government area of the state just returned to the country from Dubai.
According to reports, the deceased who didn’t want to remain idle sought for job at the fast food and later got employed, where he worked until the unfortunate Incident.
It was gathered that troubled started when a Nokia Phone got missing at the restaurant and a check on the camera reportedly showed that the late Izuchukwu knew about the missing phone.
According to reports, late Mbakwe was dragged outside and handed over to the Bakassi officer who threatened to shoot him, which he eventually did.
Our correspondent gathered that the deceased staff of the fast food was shot in the thigh by the vigilante personnel.
The deceased was said to have died at the hospital where he was admitted for medical attention.
Mbakwe was said to have lost a lot of blood before he could be taken to the hospital.
The Police PPRO said “it is a very unfortunate Incident. The corpse of the young man is in the morgue.
“The suspect behind the dastardly act has been arrested and firearm used (in carrying out the crime) has been recovered, while investigation has commenced.”
“We appeal for calm from the members of the public and as assure them that justice must be done.
“We are also consoling with the family of the deceased.”