Gunmen shot corps member to death in Imo

Some unknown gunmen shot dead a serving corps member, Ekene Uwaoma in Owerri, Imo State capital on Monday.

Naija News gathered that the incident occurred around 8.30pm at Ama-wire Junction, when the corps member and his friend, identified as MacDonald, were returning to their residence.

Punch reports that Uwaoma, 23, was a 2016 graduate of History and International Studies from the Imo State University, Owerri, and was serving in Ogun State.

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It was gathered that the he was an indigene of Umudo-Anara, in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state.

Uwaoma, who was the second son of his parents, was said to have come to visit his mother, Mrs. Mary Uwaoma, when he was murdered.

His friend, MacDonald, told Punch on Tuesday that he was with the deceased when the gunmen accosted them and requested for their mobile phones.

“We were returning home from where we went to buy food. Suddenly, four boys bearing arms stopped and asked us to surrender our phones. I quickly gave them mine, but Ekene Uwaoma refused to surrender his phone.

“They started struggling and I ran away. They shot him on the chest and ran away. They also shot into the air to scare people away.”

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MacDonald said that he was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where doctors confirmed him dead.

“The gunmen didn’t go with his phone. It was a pity. This was the first time somebody was killed in my presence. I am heartbroken. His picture keeps appearing in my mind. I can’t bear it,” he added.

A family member said Uwaoma’s death had thrown his family and the entire village into mourning, adding that the deceased’s mother had yet to recover from the shock.

The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, said the command had commenced investigation to nab the perpetrators.