Thousands of youngsters from the Mgbakwu village in Anambra State’s Awka North Local Government Area have condemned the murder of a young guy identified only as Akidi.
The victim was claimed to have been slain on Thursday by a member of Udogachi, the state-owned vigilante security group.
Though it was unclear how the man died, some claim he was standing by the roadside having a conversation with his wife when a bullet accidently discharged from one of the operatives nearby struck him, killing him instantly.
Meanwhile, on Friday, youths in the Mgbakwu village protested the assassination of Akidi, claiming that it was one too many.
A year previously, a teenager from the same organization was killed by “a stray bullet” from an operative’s gun.
During Friday’s demonstration, the kids blocked the entrance to a popular market in the village to express their displeasure.
They eventually organised a procession of motorcycles carrying new leaves and rode almost 10 kilometres to Awka, the state capital.
Protesters were observed singing songs in outrage at the deaths of local youths, urging the state government to restrain operatives.
In an online video, one of their leaders can be heard declaring, “We cannot accept this.” We’ve been slaughtered enough, and this has to end.”
Though earned that the demonstrators were on their way to the Government House, it was unclear whether they were addressed by a government official.
As of the time of reporting this story, the security organization had not to issue an official statement on the subject.