The Imo State Police Command are presently searching for a vigilante group from Chokoneze community in Aboh Mbaise LGA of Imo State for allegedly dumping a 16-year-old boy, Chidera Nnorom, in a well after torturing him.
According to an eye witness account, the victim was returning from a neigbouring community, where he went to watch a football match at about 7pm and stopped by at a local store to buy sachet water, when a group of men who claimed to be Chokoneze vigilante group approached him and inquired where he was coming from.
As the eyewitness further revealed, his explanations did not go down well with them as the vigilant group made up of Stanley Onuoha, Emeka Nwachukwu, Chigozie Amaefule, Chibugo Uwalaka, Samuel Odoemena and Nnamdi Nwaogu descended on Chidera, beat him to stupor before dumping him inside a well with the thought that he was dead.
Chidera, according to the witness was said to have held on to life till the following morning, when some passersby heard his cry from the deep well and came to his rescue.??
The Police was said to have been alerted immediately and was brought out of the well unconscious.
The Divisional Police Officer of Aboh Mbaise, Fidelis Amadi, confirmed that the boy was rescued alive from the well before being rushed to Ndubuisis Hospital, where he later died.??
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Chokoneze, HRH Eze Nnana Nwosum, who affirmed that he was aware of the incident, said someone from the community informed him of a slain teenager labeled a thief by the vigilante group and in possession of some wraps of Indian hemp.