A 15-year-old boy, which the police identified as Philip Okoro, aged 22, was shot dead by members of the state vigilante service.
The Enugu State command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested two members of the State Vigilantes Group that alleged shot dead a 15-year-old boy in the state.
The incident happened at Nkpologwu community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State on Thursday.
Meanwhile the state police Commissioner, Abubakar Lawal, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to conduct a full-scale investigation into the case.
He also appealed to the community to remain calm and allow the law to take its course as the suspects had been arrested.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that a 15-year-old boy, which the police identified as Philip Okoro, aged 22, was shot dead by members of the state vigilante service.
It was also reported that the killing triggered violent demonstration which led to the burning of houses and properties of those security men allegedly involved in the killing.
However, reacting in a statement, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, said the police had restored normalcy to the community.
The statement partly reads, "The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command, CP Abuabar Lawal, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State CID to conduct a full-scale investigation into the case of alleged shooting of one Philip Okoro (m) aged 22, by a Vigilante at Nkpologwu community in Uzo-Uwani LGA on 29/06/2022.
"The victim was rushed to the hospital and later confirmed dead on 30/06/2022 at about 3pm, by doctors on duty and his corpse deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
"Consequently, two (2) members of the vigilante group directly linked to the shooting and murder of the victim have been arrested.
"They include: one Annene Idu (m), alleged to have shot the deceased, and Chijioke Ezugwu (m), the Chief Security Officer of the LGA said to have led the Vigilantes to the scene of the incident to arrest hard drugs dealers. Additionally, the pump action rifle used for the act has been recovered.
"Meanwhile, in protest of the death of the said victim, an angry mob set ablaze the house of the mentioned team leader. However, the fire was put out by Police Operatives, who swiftly mobilised to the scene on receipt of a distress call, before the building could be burnt down.
"Normalcy has been restored in the area, while the CP has entreated residents of the community to remain law-abiding and avoid acts capable of breaching public peace in the area, while supporting the Police in the ongoing investigation."