Angry Traders Set Vigilante Office Ablaze in Umuahia over Alleged Killing of Member

By Izunna Okafor

It was an unexpected mishap over the week, as angry traders invaded and set ablaze, the office and an operational van of the Abia State Vigilante Group Service, AVGS (aka “Bakassi Boys”) in Umuhia, Abia State capital.

The office, which is situated within the popular Umuahia Timber Market, was burnt down after the Bakassi boys were accused of killing a trader during a squabble with the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS) which sealed shops over nonpayment of N18,000 fee on same day.

Reacting to the development, the Commandant of the AVGS, Mr. Idika who bemoaned the burning of their office and an operational van of the security outfit, denied that a trader was killed by his men.

He said, “We have gone round the entire hospitals in Umuahia, including Federal Medical Center (FMC), but there was no case of gunshot injury patient or body from Timber Shed in the facilities that we visited."

Police spokesman, Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed that some traders were injured, but said there was no death.

He further revealed that police was on top of the situation and would discreetly investigate the matter as soon as possible.