Three people have been reported dead following a violent confrontation between youths and operatives of a state-backed security outfit in Ifite Ogwari, Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident occurred on Thursday night after the death of a young man accused of theft. Residents allege he was beaten by members of the security outfit before he died.
Tension escalated when youths in the community carried the body in protest to the office of the security outfit. The situation reportedly turned violent, with parts of the facility vandalised and an operational vehicle set on fire.
According to accounts from the scene, the confrontation later escalated into an exchange between the protesting youths and security operatives. Two additional deaths were reportedly recorded during the unrest, bringing the total number of fatalities to three.
A member of the Ifite Ogwari Traditional Ruling Council, who requested anonymity, said community leaders and the town union have since stepped in to restore calm in the area.
The member representing Ayamelum Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Bernard Udemezue, described the incident as avoidable. He attributed the violence to alleged excesses by the local security group and a reactive response from some youths.
He said efforts were underway to de-escalate tensions and urged residents to allow proper investigation.
Sympathising with affected families, Udemezue said the reported deaths were deeply regretted and called for restraint while authorities address the situation.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command had not yet received an official briefing on the incident at the time of contact.
