A 25-year-old metal scrap dealer identified as Kelechi Amadi has been shot dead by a personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Umuahia, for refusing to pay N2000 bribe to them.
The incident happened at Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State at about 10:30 am. It was gathered that the Civil Defence officials arrived at a metal scrap shop at Ubakala and as usual, demanded to be given N2000 “Fuel Money” or have their goods confiscated. But the apprentices told the NSCDC men that their master was not around and also did not authorize them to give money to anyone in his absence.
This was said to have infuriated the Civil Defence men to start arresting the metal scrap dealers and this led to a protest by the victim, Kelechi Amadi. But an eye witness by the name Chukwu, said that one of the Civil Defence men came down from Patrol Van, Corked his gun and shot Kelechi Amadi in his legs and lower abdomen, leaving the boy in his own blood.
But sensing that villagers may mob them, the NSCDC officials bundled the unconscious victim into their Van and speed off to Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia where they dumped him at Accident and Emergency Ward, without explaining to the real cause of the boy’s bleeding.
They also left before the relatives of their brutality would arrive at the hospital. When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of NSCDC in Abia State, Ndukwe Agu Egwu said his men were attacked at Ubakala by metal scrap dealers, saying that the suspected killer only shot gun in self defense. He however assured that a thorough investigation was going on to determine the detailed root of the shooting.
