John Ugo
Tension has mounted among residents of Sapele town, Delta state, following the assassination of a popular Vigilante Commader, Victor Lucky, by unknown gunmen.
The victim was shot dead on Friday night, a development that had thrown the people into mourning and panic.
It was gathered that Victor, an anti-cultist crusader, was killed at about 7pm at Okpe junction in Sapele few minutes after he left the venue of a wake keep for the burial of the mother of a friend who is also popular crusader for social justice and former Commissioner for Youth, Chief Omolubi Newuwumi.
Eyewitness said Victor was accosted by a five man gang of assailants armed with AK47 rifles who rode in a tinted Sports Utility Vehocle (SUV) to the popular Okpe road junction, where they shot him severally at close range.
It was learnt that the Gunmen had after shooting him to death, escaped unchallenged to unknown direction.
Several shops and businesses were said to have abruptly closed down as anxiety heightened within the town.
Vehicular movements were restricted even as people trekked for hours to their destinations.
Residents of the town lamented the sudden death of the Commander of the Vigilante group, describing him as a hero and crusader.
Those who spoke in confidence said the late Victor who was backed by the former Commissioner, Chief Omulubi, singlehandedly fought and battled violent crimes orchestrated by cultist to almost a standstill in the past five years.
They blamed the Police for not doing enough to protect the deceased and his vigilante group for their efforts in trying to bring criminality to a halt in the towm, adding that with his death, the town would no longer be same and safe for indigenes and residents.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Aliu, who confirmed the unfortunate incident, said the Police have arrested three persons in connections with the murder and that investigation was ongoing.
He dismissed rumor of any speculations stressing that those arrested were already making useful information about the incident.
CP Mohammed promised that the Command would definitely apprehend the assailants.
He said, “Yes I am aware of the killing of a Vigilante Commander in Sapele, and as I speak with you, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the unfortunate incident and they are giving useful information to the police.”
“I have also directed that the case and suspects be send straight to the Command headquarter for further discreet investigation and I want to assure you that very soon, the assailants will be brought to book,” he stated.