Ebonyi state Police Command weekend said it arrested 17 persons for killing a man over alleged witchcraft in Enohia itim community, Afikpo local government.
The alleged witch, one Urom Okorocha was said to have been behind the mysterious death of some members of the community including his family members.
A source closed to the community told Blueprint that Urom was lynched following the actions of members of the state security outfit”Neighborhood watch”.
The source who spoke in the condition of anonymity said, “the peaceful assembly of the members of Enohia Itim community in Afikpo North LGA was today invaded by members of the Neighborhood Watch who shot at members of the community and seriously injured 6 persons.
“Trouble started when members of the community, men and women, old and young, gathered at the village square to discuss burning issues of urgent importance.
“One Urom Okorocha (Urom Chi) had been accused of being behind the mysterious and untimely deaths of some members of the community, including his nephews and nieces.
“The community had gathered in the morning hours at the village square to find out from the accused if the allegations leveled against him were true or false.
“While the deliberations were ongoing, one Hassan Urom Olughu, an uncle to the accused, called and invited the armed Neighbourhood watch that shot at and injured 6 members of the community.
“The aggression of the neighborhood watch provoked a mob action that led the irate youth to lynch the accused. ”
He said soldiers subsequently invaded the community and started breaking into people’s homes and arresting and brutalizing innocent people at random.
He also said teargas canisters were randomly fired into people’s homes with terrible consequences.
A statement by the Nigerian Police headquarters made available to journalists in Abakaliki through the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, noted that 17 suspects connected to the murder of Urom have been arrested.
” In another development, on the January 3 2025, Police operatives attached to the Ebonyi State Command arrested 17 suspects in Enohia Itim village, the Afikpo LGA for the murder of one Urom Okorocha ‘m’, who was accused by local youths of being involved in the killing of several individuals through alleged witchcraft and spiritual means.
“The suspects had mobilized and apprehended the deceased, but instead of handing him over to legal authorities and to the rule of law, they decided to take laws into their hands, becoming judge, jury and executioner. The police operatives of the Uwanna Division mobilized tactical teams to the scene on a rescue mission but the angry mob had already killed and burned Mr Okorocha before the arrival of the Police team.