It is indeed a very sad, sorrowful and tough moment for the family of Osekene of Eziokpor Community in Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State, following the gruesome killing of their son, Mr. Igwebuike Osekene, (31) on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at Obinomba by boys suspected to be cultists.
The late Igwebuike Osekene, who resides at Obinomba community but work at Obiaruku, on the faithful day after getting to work, decided to retreat back home to prepare a lunch for himself, but never knew he will meet his death on the way.
Late Igwebuike Osekene, who was riding on his motorcycle popularly known as Okada back to Obinomba were he resides, less than a kilometre from his work place, when he was flagged down by the Obinomba Community Youth Chairman for a lift, but unknown to the deceased, the Youth Chairman was been trailed by suspected cultists who had allegedly wanted to kill him over an issue involving one of their members. Unaware of what was going on, the deceased Igwebuike stopped, picked the chairman in his bike and dropped him were he directed him. Immediately after dropping him, the late Igwebuike, continued his journey to his house but was accosted by a group suspected cultist.
Igwebuike who was described as a very calm, humble and quite young man, not knowing their motive, stopped his bike to know why he was been stopped. It was gathered that his killers asked him the cult he belong.
According to an eye witness who pleaded anonymity, the deceased responded by saying he did not belong to any cult group, but before he could utter any other word, he was shot in his waist from behind at a close range living him dead instantly.
Why the community youth Chairman was being trailed by the alleged cult group
Community source who narrated to journalists said, that on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Youth Exco’s of Obinomba Community in Ukwuani LGA, Delta State, had gathered at the residence of the Youth Chairman to discuss an issue of fight involving one MACKSON OSUYALI and another youth whose name could not be confirmed. It was also gathered that the community had enacted a law that forbids and prohibits fighting with the use of dangerous weapon such as machetes, Axe, clubs and guns, neglect to this they said is tantamount to a fine.
Everyone in the community according to sources are aware and also conversant with the consequences if violated.
The said MACKSON OSUYALI whose father, Raphael OSUYALI, is the Vice Chairman of the Obinomba Community Vigilante is also said to be aware of the law, but on the faithful June 18, 2024, he allegedly violated the law when he had a fight with another youth but embark on using a machete to fight his opponent.
Consequent upon his actions, he was summoned by the community central youth body, but his father Raphael Osuyali, who is the Community Vigilante Vice Chairman, allegedly asked his son not to honour the summon. This action triggered the anger of the youth, and they mandated the taskforce for that purpose to go to MACKSON Osuyali’s house to possibly bring him to face fine. But getting there, MACKSON furiously brought out a machete and threatened to kill anyone that come closer to him while he chases them with the machete, but he was overpowered and disarmed of the machete.
Not happy with what transpired, MACKSON, an suspected cultist, allegedly mobilized his cult members for a reprisal attack on the youth body. His father, Mr. Raphael Osuyali, according to sources led the way to where the youths were holding their meeting.
The father according to eye witnesses, the father of MACKSON, Raphael Osuyali went straight to slap the chairman and upon asking why someone of his status should be aiding and abetting his son, Mr. Raphael and his son backed by their cult members smashed tables, chairs and anything on sight while brandishing different weapons including battle axes, machetes and guns injuring some persons in the meeting including Quarter Chairmen while others scampered for safety.
Those injured were admitted to an undisclosed hospital and still receiving treatment, it was gathered.
It was reported that it was in the process of trailing the youth chairman that the late Igwebuike Osekene who was not aware of the incident was mistakenly killed.
According to the deceased family source, some of the suspects including Mr. Raphael Osuyali, has been arrested while the body of the late Igwebuike Osekene whose life was caught short at his prime has been deposited at the hospital.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Bright Edafe, could not be reached as his phone numbers did not connect.