Security guard stabs man to death in Onitsha after altercation over nor wearing a facemask in public

POLICE in Anambra State have arrested a security guard for killing a member of the public by stabbing him in the chest with a knife following an altercation over not wearing a facemask in defiance of the government's social distancing restrictions.

Like most other states, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has introduced several restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. These include the compulsory wearing of facemasks in public and security guards have been hired to help enforce this and other directives.

Yesterday in Onitsha, a security man in the city's main market, identified as Ibuchi Nwoju, killed a local resident identified as Cletus Chisom, 22, by stabbing him in the chest with a knife after a dispute which started with his sister not wearing a facemask.  Apparently, Cletus's sister was in the market with her mother to purchase some items when Mr Nwoju  confronted her for not putting on a face mask.

Cletus's  mother was said to have bought the facemask for her daughter after the suspect insisted that she would only be allowed into the market if she wore one. Trouble, however, began after Cletus's  rushed home and mobilised her brother, who came to attack the security guard.

Anambra State Police Command spokesman Haruna Mohammed, said: "Around 8.45am, police operatives from the Okpoko Division in Onitsha arrested a private security guard attached to the Coca-Cola Market, Onitsha, one Ibuchi Nwoju, 26, of Asa village, Abia State, who resides in Onitsha, Anambra State. The suspect allegedly had an altercation with one Cletus Chisom, 22, of Ekekwe Street, Awada and stabbed him in the chest with a knife.

“Consequently, the victim became unconscious and was rushed to the Goodnews Hospital, Onitsha, where he was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor. The corpse was deposited in the Toronto Hospital’s mortuary for autopsy.”