A fresh graduate of Petrochemical Engineering from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Mr. Precious Chidozie James, has been shot dead by hooded gunmen near his family home in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
Chidozie, who was preparing for his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was killed in the early hours of Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at about 2:15 a.m. He had been accompanying his elder brother, Enyeribe James, the head of the Ukwa East/Ukwa West anti-bunkering task force of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN), on a night patrol when the attack occurred.
A community source revealed that the assailants, who emerged from the bush, ambushed Chidozie and his brother, opening fire on their two vehicles. Chidozie, who was driving a Tundra truck, was fatally shot, while his elder brother managed to escape into the bush.
His body was recovered around 9:35 a.m. by officers from the Obehie Police Station, led by DSP Ibrahim. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the killing, leaving the grieving family appealing to the government for justice.
Reacting to the incident, the Mayor of Ukwa West LGA, Dike Nwankwo, condemned the attack as unacceptable. He stated that initial reports from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ukwa Division indicate that the assailants remain unidentified.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Johnson Ihunanya Nwosu, the Mayor declared: “The reckless and deliberate targeting of innocent citizens under any guise is a direct threat to public order. We will deploy all available mechanisms to ensure that the full force of the law is applied without delay.”
In response, he has ordered intensified security operations across Ukwa West, vowing zero tolerance for criminal networks, assassins, and any forces seeking to destabilize the community. He further assured that he is working closely with the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to track down those responsible for the killing.
