A yet-to-be-identified member of the Abia State Vigilante Group on Sunday, shot a 27-year-old staff of De Choice Eatery, Izuchukwu Mbakwe, over a missing Nokia Torch Light phone in Umuahia, the state capital.
The victim, who hails from Umuosu Nkwoegwu Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area, was said to have died as a result of the injury sustained from the gunshot.
It was said that Izuchukwu, who worked in the store department of the fast food company before his death, was shot dead over a missing phone.
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The deceased was said to have arrived for his normal duties at the eatery when the internal auditor of the company while searching for a missing Nokia Torch phone belonging to the company, invited members of the vigilante group and demanded his arrest.
The vigilante operatives while carrying out the order, stripped Izuchukwu and beat him to a stupor.
On getting up to go away, they shot him in his legs with a Pump Action Riffle, which affected his Femoral Artery.
After shooting Mbakwe, the vigilantes attempted to abandon him at the scene but customers who witnessed the incident protested against the action.
He was further rushed to a hospital for treatment but lost his life at the point when he was about to be referred to a specialist hospital.
He has been since deposited at the morgue.
According to a source, the “Nokia Torch” phone was later found to have been plugged in for charging at the DJ cubicle at the front of the office.
A colleague of the deceased, who spoke to newsmen confirmed that they are being owed up to 5 Months’ salary arrears.
Also Izuchukwus elder sister, Mrs. Adaora Chukwuemeka, while confirming that her brother has not been paid for five months, wondered why the employer has not communicated with the family.
While demanding justice for her brother, Adaora said bleed to death as a result of the injuries he sustained during the attack.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident and faulted the action of the vigilante operatives.
Ogbonna said Mbakwe should have been handed over to the police for investigation, adding that the suspect had been apprehended and his firearm recovered
