Gunmen invade Enugu community, kill neighbourhood watch treasurer

Gunmen returned to the crisis-ridden Oruku community, Nkanu East Council, Enugu State, yesterday morning and killed the Treasurer of the Neighbourhood Watch, Mr. Callistus Amushi.

Sources said the killing might not be unconnected with the unending communal conflict in the community, which has claimed many lives and property worth millions of naira.

The former traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Emmanuel Chidiebere Mbah was shot dead by an alleged ‘paid police officer’ from Abuja in December last year, while Mr. Okey Ogbodo, who was Chairman of Aguikpa Neighbourhood Watch was gunned down by assailants in Oruku on June 13, this year.

He was said to have attracted the ire of the gunmen for testifying before the Justice Harold Eya-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry constituted by the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to investigate causes of the communal crisis in Oruku community, which led to the murder of the royal father.

The panel had since submitted its report to the governor, but the state government is yet to implement recommendations of the panel.

Earlier, the Deputy Chairman of the community’s Caretaker Committee, Chief Samuel Ani, was shot and killed by gunmen in the community on February 24, this year.

Amushi’s killing has brought four, high profile killings since December 26, 2020, when the Inspector General of Police Tactical Squad from Force Headquarters visited the community.

Sources said the gunmen who stormed the community in the early hours of yesterday, escaped in their vehicle after killing the treasurer. It was not ascertained whether anything was taken away from him.