By Abimbola Ogunnaike
A suspected cultist, Chima, also known as Jasper, was on Friday, 21 April, 2023 stoned to death for stabbing a mechanic, Chigozie Anumwee to death over a minor quarrel in Umuonyeashi, Nsokpo Ogbaku in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
Jasper, who hails from Amakohia Ubi in Owerri West LGA but lives in his maternal home, was allegedly stoned to death by an angry crowd after reportedly stabbing Anumwee to death.
It was gathered that the tragedy occurred at about 11am on Friday, 21 April, 2023 at Umuonyeashi, Nsokpo Ogbaku, and the people of the community retaliated almost immediately and stoned Jasper to death.
A community source, who pleaded anonymity, told an online medium that Jasper stabbed the deceased from Lawa in Isi-Ogbaku autonomous community in the lower abdomen after a little quarrel ensued between them.
According to the source, the young man attempted to run but was apprehended by the mob when they realized the victim had died, beating him and stoning him to death.
Confirming the incident, the Secretary of Ogbaku Youth Association, Justice Chukwunatu Nwafor, said the matter had been reported to the police at Ogbaku Police Division and that normalcy has been restored in the area.
Nwafor described the incident as “the height of barbarism at this time and age”.
As at the time of filling this report, the state police command is yet to comment on the incident.
