There is an outcry for justice from the Mbakwe family in Umuosu Okauiga Nkwoegwu in Umuahia North LGA.
The family was last Sunday, sent into mourning by the news of the death of their son, Izuchukwu Mbakwe, who was shot dead by his colleague while on duty.
The young man, who was 29 years according to his family, returned from the United Arab Emirates in late 2022, at the request of his family as another travel arrangement was being put together by the family to see him join his two other relatives abroad.
He was of royal lineage, his uncle is the traditional ruler of Umuosu Okayiuga Nkwoegwu, the family disclosed.
On Sunday, 26th March 2023, Izuchukwu was shot dead by a security staff of De Choice Fast food Company, Umuahia where he worked for 4 months.
Izuu, as many of his friends called him, was employed in December 2022 through an arrangement by his elder sister who wanted him to be busy with a little job while his travel documents were being processed.
However, an alleged drug addict who was the security officer at De Choice turned the nuzzle of a pump action gun on Izuchukwu and ended his life in cold blood for demanding to be paid salaries owed him for four months.
He was allegedly killed after being accused of stealing a missing mobile phone which reportedly belonged to the manager of the outfit, an accusation the young man denied even till he breathed his last.
Although the unidentified vigilante officer has been arrested and detained by the Police, the youths of Umuosu Nkwoegwu are still spoiling for war demanding that their son gets justice.
They have registered their anger by destroying some property in the restaurant where Izuu was killed, including a car while threatening more action if the matter is swept under the carpet.
DAILY POST VISITS FAMILY
A visit to the family of the deceased by a DAILY POST correspondent gave more insight into events that led to the unfortunate incident and Izuchukwu’s eventual death.
At the palace of HRH, Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe, the traditional ruler of Umuosu Okauiga Nkwoegwu and also an uncle to the deceased, our correspondent learned that the royal father was at a Police station in the city seeking justice for his nephew.
At Izuchukwu’s immediate family home, the mood was that of mourning and anger as well-wishers gathered to commiserate and pay condolences to the grieving family.
An uncle to Izuchukwu, Professor Roy Mbakwe, who spoke to our correspondent demanded life imprisonment for the killer security officer who murdered his nephew.
He also demanded the immediate disbandment of the Abia State vigilante service.
The Professor who confirmed that the fast food restaurant owed his late brother 4 months’ salary, condemned the action of the management, asking why workers should be owed their wages for so long.
He condemned the attitude of the proprietor of De Choice who he alleged is now begging the family to accept compensation.
Prof Mbakwe described the plea of the proprietor of De Choice as an insult to his family, pointing out that the owner of the fast food company is yet to visit the family on condolence but was only talking about compensation.
“He is talking about compensation, why did he not pay him salaries when he was alive? Mbakwe asked.
Also aggrieved over the incident is Uchenna Mbakwe, an elder brother of the late Izuchukwu.
He wept uncontrollably during the interview and was barely able to speak to our correspondent.
Uchenna maintained that his brother never stole any phone as was alleged by the Manager of De Choice.
PRODUCE MY SON NOW
As of Wednesday afternoon when our correspondent visited the Mbakwe family, Mrs Uzoma, Izuchulwu’s mother was yet to eat or drink since the death of her last child was reported.
She is reported to have been wailing and demanding the management of De Choice bring back her son alive. She was flanked by women of the community who tried to calm her wails.
The bereaved mother could not speak to our correspondent. Her pain and agony were evident.
However, in a chat with DAILY POST, the Abia State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed that the security man who reportedly aimed the killing shot is now in custody while investigations are ongoing.
Abia State Vigilante Service has also issued a statement claiming the incident was an accident.
The security service said its personnel was only trying to separate a fight between the manager of De Choice and the late Izuchukwu when his gun went off.
These accounts were rendered by Chief Martins Kalu, the Commandant of Abia State Vigilante Service and Mr Ben Uche, the Media Officer.
Meanwhile, the management of De Choice in a message published online has issued a statement, saying that it did not order its security man to shoot the staff, as is widely believed in Umuahia, adding that the management commiserated with the family of the deceased and was assisting in all investigations.
It, however, made no reference to the issue of unpaid salary in the explanatory message.
Some residents of Umuahia who spoke on the matter alleged that criminals and people of dark history were being recruited into security forces and demanded an end to it.
One of the residents, Chief Egwu Acharaeke alleged that former staff of Abia State Vigilante, Mr Okorie Chukwuma not long ago, killed a United States-based businessman, Mr Enyinnaya Ogbonna and allegedly stole his Toyota Venza car.
He added that the murdered businessman was building a cooking gas station in his hometown in Isuikwuato LGA before he was killed by the vigilante staff.
Meanwhile, two branches of De Choice restaurant in Umuahia at Azikiwe road and No. 2 Market road (Okpara square) have remained shut since Monday.
Sources said that staff were directed to ‘stay at home until further notice’.
