UPDATED: Pandemonium in Ukpor Anambra State as Policeman shoots welder [PHOTOS]

.........Police trying to cover up – Youths' Chairman says

Following the shooting of a local welder by a yet to be identified Policeman, the youths of Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area, Anambra State, took to the street to protest what they referred to as "an absolute recklessness."

According to Chika, a resident of Uboma village where the victim hails from, some members of the Nigerian Police Force had arrived the victim's resident at about 11pm on Monday following a report by some group of people that the victim, a local welder identified as Okey causes public nuisance in the area as he usually works till very late at night. He was reportedly shot by the police after he allegedly resisted arrest.

Over 300 youths from the area tried to gain entry into the police station earlier today but were resisted by numerous policemen who were reinforced from nearby police stations, including the SARS unit.

The victim was transferred to Akwudo hospital Nnewi on Tuesday morning. 

When contacted, the chairman of Ukpor youths organization, Mr. Nkwado Onwughalu corroborated the earlier report but promised to appease the youths and also remind them to not take laws into their hands and allow justice prevail.

When cfrmagazine.com contacted the DPO of Ukpor Police Station, SP Lucky Seibai, he said the policeman involved has been arrested and would face disciplinary actions at Police Area Command after investigation is concluded. He refused to give further details as it was the duty of the Police PRO.

The youths' chairman, Nkwado Onwughalu addressing them at the police station.

But according to a policeman who pleaded anonymity, the police was invited by a member of a local vigilante from the village following reports that the victim's residence was being used as a meeting point for Indian hemp smokers.

"...when the police got to the place around 11 pm, they were smoking Indian hemp, one of our men tried to take away the substance as an evidence but the victim resisted and wanted to attack him with an iron. Maybe that's why he shot him," he said.

The victim at the hospital

Okey had bullet wounds in his leg and was rushed to a local hospital nearby. When the situation overwhelmed the medical team at the hospital, he was transferred to Akwudo hospital, Nnewi

Meanwhile, according to a press statement released by the youths' chairman, Mr. Onwughalu on Tuesday night, the story of Indian hemp was just a cover up by the police.

The statement reads: "Ukpor youths numbering more than five hundred (500) took to the street to protest shooting of their member by men of Nigerian police in his workshops at about 9.45pm according to eyewitnesses.

“The story gaining ground that he was taking Indian hemp was just a cover up to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it .

“He had problem with the police when they wanted to arrest him for working in his workshop late in the night.

“According to the youth that was shot, the police man tried to rough handle him which prompted him trying to defend himself and the policeman shot him at close range.

“The place is not an Igbo bunk, it is his workshop. He had an urgent job to deliver to a customers which prompted him to stay longer than he used to.


“The policeman abandoned him to die in his pool of blood after shooting him at close range and went back to report that he was seen with groups taking Indian hemp and that he sent thugs to attack the policeman which prompted the police to shoot in self defense . THIS IS PURE LIE.

“The story was cooked up to give him a bad name. It was the people in the neighborhood that came to take the guy to general hospital where there authority refused to treat him on the ground that there was no police report.

“The enrage youth decided to take him to Adaugo hospital. Treatment started after the police report this morning.

“He was later transferred to Akwudo hospital Nnewi in the morning at about 9.00am.
The angry youth marched round Ukpor protesting the excesses of the police.

“The police would have taken him to the hospital if he was a criminal.

“I have to sound this as a warning to anybody joining the police to tarnish the image of the youth.

“The boy shot in his workshop. The leadership of Ukpor youth supervised the protest to make sure is peaceful. And also engaged the police the ware fare our the youth which the outcome of our meeting with the DPO was very impressive 

“We thank God that no life lost and we also have decided that this matter must not die 


“We thank the PG , the igwe and Chief mbazulike Amaechi for their word of advice, encouragement and support.

“Remember, our late sister Linda Igwetu.
Was buried two day after Okechukwu Ifechigha  was shot in his workshop.
The police in Ukpor killed Ekeros son few years ago.

“The police did a very bad job and we believe there is more to this than we already know but we must get to the root of this matter. Enough is Enough.”