Outrage in Imo community over vigilante murder ‘during attack on security post’

Obinna Ihejieto, a local vigilante in Umualumaku community, Uzoagba, Ikeduru LGA, Imo state, is fighting for his life after being shot in the leg “during a violent attack linked to the destruction of a community security gate”.

Ihejieto, who has been hospitalised since he was shot on June 1, 2025, recounted the incident to TheCable on Thursday.

He said he was on night patrol alongside some senior colleagues when suspected hoodlums opened fire on one of the community’s security gates.

Ihejieto said the attack left him severely injured, requiring surgery and ongoing medical care which left him in the hospital for close to two months in Owerri, the capital of Imo.

“We usually close the gate between 10 and 11 pm and reopen it by 4 am. On that night, I saw people trying to remove the gate. I was some distance away from my colleague when I flashed light on them, they opened fire and shot my leg,” Obinna said.

“My colleague tied my drenched leg and dragged me away from the scene.”

The community alleged that the attack was orchestrated by one Kingsley Chimezie Anosike and his associates, who have a “history of vandalising the security gate and intimidating residents”.

A formal petition dated July 5 was sent to the offices of the national security adviser and the inspector general of police, accusing Anosike and others of violent attacks, hostage-taking, and the use of firearms.

Kingsley Onunwa, legal adviser to the community, said Anosike has been sued for “terrorism, attempted murder, conspiracy and forgery”.

He added that Anosike is not a member of the community he frequently terrorises.

“In the course of investigation, the police discovered other crimes he committed and then charged him with the petition against him,” Onunwa said.

TheCable could not reach Anosike for comments before this story was published.