By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Directorate of States Services (DSS) in Anambra State has debunked allegation that its officer shot dead an only son in Anambra State as a result of mistaken identity.
An unverified report started trending in the early hours of Thursday, alleging that operatives of the DSS killed a man in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The man’s wife was said to have been delivered of a new baby, whom he was preparing to go see in the hospital before he was shot dead by security officials who were said to be chasing after a notorious cultist that ran into his compound. The deceased was also said to be an only son.
The killing was said to have sparked off series of protests in the community as youths of the community blocked the entrance of the Idemili North Local Government Headquarter with the corpse of the deceased, in protest, insisting that they must see the Chairman of the Local Government.
While saying that the man was shot when he excused himself from the family’s morning devotion to go urinate, the youths were said to have also demanded immediate intervention of the government and punishment of the officers for unprofessionalism. They alleged that the act was perpetrated by the operatives of the DSS.
However, when contacted by this reporter, the DSS Director in Anambra State, Mr. Enoch Pawa denied the alleged involvement of his men in the killing.
He said it was officers of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) in Ogidi that shot the deceased, and not the DSS as many allege.
All efforts to speak with the leadership of Ogidi Community for their own side of the story proved abortive, as the phone number of the Traditional Ruler was switched off; while the President-General did not respond to his calls.
