Security operatives allegedly kill Imo gardener

A combined team of security operatives has allegedly killed a gardener, John Patrick Akinolo working at Shiva Fellowship International Centre, Aboh Mbaise Local  Council of Imo State.

According to reports, the deceased was shot dead following a mistaken identity when the security team visited the church premises.

The Guardian learnt that the visit followed an intelligence regarding the gruesome killing of two police officers at Okpala Junction on May 20, 2023, by suspected gunmen.

Speaking on behalf of entire members, yesterday, the spiritual leader of the worship centre, Dr. Benjamin Onwukwe, condemned the killing of  Akinolo, who doubled as the church security man, describing it as violation of human rights and crime against God and humanity.

Onwukwe said church’s property worth over N200 million was also destroyed by the personnel during what he described as the “malicious attack and invasion of his spiritual colony.”

He appealed to Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba Usman and others to investigate the incident with a view of ensuring that justice prevails.

He said: “I strongly condemn the wanton murder of this innocent citizen by the same security men who are supposed to protect him, most especially as nothing incriminating was neither found on him nor in the centre.”

“The essence of this press conference is to call on the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Government of Imo state and indeed the security agencies to investigate the killing of the young Nigerian and the damage

Meanwhile, spokesperson for Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, was yet to respond to telephone calls and messages sent to his phone at press time.