Villagers Set 70-Year-Old Man's Houses Ablaze For Killing Mentally-Challenged Teenager

File photo

According to a report by The Nation, some really angry youths in Ikem Ogor community in Isi-Uzo Council Area of Enugu State, have set ablaze houses belonging to the family of one Lawrence Ezeoha popularly known as ‘Oshionwu’ for allegedly killing a mentally challenged teenager.

The 70-year-old Oshionwu, was said to have shot dead the 19 -year-old boy identified as Ifeanyi and popularly known as ‘Agudo’ on Wednesday for accusing him of being responsible for his mental ill health.

The deceased, according to village sources, was said to be riding a commercial motorcycle otherwise known as (okada) before his mental illness started a few months ago.

Trouble started when Agudo allegedly strayed into Ezeoha’s compound Wednesday morning and refused to leave the compound.

He was said to have started accusing Oshionwu of being the cause of his illness.

Angered by the deceased’s refusal to leave his compound, Oshionwu went inside his house, took his dane gun and shot him in the chest.

According to one of the villagers: “Some boys took him to Ikem General Hospital but on getting there, he was pronounced dead by doctors on duty.

“This development angered the youths of the community and they quickly mobilized themselves, went and razed down houses belonging to him and that of his son.

“So the youths wanted to kill the man too but he quickly rushed to the police before they arrived. Left with no other choice, they destroyed everything in his house and set it ablaze. They also went and set ablaze the house his son had newly constructed.”

The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe said he had not been briefed about the incident.