A shocking case of alleged vigilante justice turned deadly has left a community in grief after a father and son were arrested for the brutal murder of a 35-year-old man in Imo State. The incident, which occurred on January 1, 2025, is drawing widespread condemnation, with local authorities promising swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The victim, Chima Okafor, was reportedly dragged from a church service in the Nnebugwu autonomous community of Oguta Local Government Area by Obinna Obiekea, also known as Losky, and his son, Chidubem Obiekea. The elder Obiekea, along with his family, accused Okafor of stealing a pair of jeans valued at N25,000, a charge that, according to sources, quickly escalated into a tragic confrontation.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Mr. Uche Okafor, the grief-stricken father of the deceased, recounted the harrowing details of his son’s final moments. “My son was attending a crossover night service at a Cherubim church when he was dragged out by Mr. Obinna Obiekea and his sons, Eloka and Chidubem,” Mr. Okafor explained, his voice breaking with emotion. “They accused him of stealing a pair of jeans, and without any trial or regard for his humanity, they took him to their compound, beat him, and set him on fire.”
The vicious assault, allegedly carried out by the Obiekea family, left Chima Okafor with severe burns. Despite being rushed to the Congregation Of The Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ hospital in Mgbele, Oguta, the young man succumbed to his injuries the same day. “He fought for his life, but the burns were too much,” Mr. Okafor continued, his voice tinged with anger and sorrow. “He died from the injuries they inflicted on him.”
The case has since drawn attention from the Imo State Police Command, which acted swiftly following Mr. Okafor’s petition. The police confirmed the arrest of the prime suspects, Obinna Obiekea (Losky) and his son, Chidubem Obiekea, both of whom are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Owerri. ASP Henry Okoye, the Public Relations Officer for the Imo State Police, stated that the incident was being treated as a murder case, with an autopsy to be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
“We have arrested two suspects involved in this gruesome incident, and an investigation is ongoing,” Okoye confirmed. “The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has directed that this case be handled with the utmost priority to ensure justice is served.”
However, the investigation is not without its challenges. While the elder Obiekea and his son are behind bars, two other family members—Obinna’s wife, Nwamaka Obiekea, and another son, Eloka Obiekea—remain at large. The police are actively searching for them, and Mr. Okafor has called on the authorities to ensure that they are brought to justice.
“I beg the police to arrest my son’s killers and those involved. This is not just a family tragedy, but a communal disgrace. We cannot allow such barbarism to go unpunished,” Mr. Okafor urged, addressing the Imo State Police Commissioner and even appealing to the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, to ensure that justice is done in his son’s case.
The local community in Oguta is still reeling from the shock of the incident. Eyewitnesses have described the attack as senseless and brutal. “What happened to my brother is unthinkable,” said one of Okafor’s close friends, who asked to remain anonymous. “We never imagined that something as trivial as a pair of jeans could lead to such violence. It’s not just the loss of a life, but the way in which it was taken that has left everyone in disbelief.”
The allegations of murder over a stolen item, even one as modest as a pair of jeans, have raised questions about the increasing prevalence of mob justice and extrajudicial actions in some parts of Nigeria. Legal experts argue that such vigilantism undermines the rule of law and promotes a culture of impunity, where individuals take the law into their own hands.
“This is not justice. It’s murder,” stated Chika Nwosu, a human rights lawyer based in Owerri. “Every Nigerian has the right to due process, regardless of the accusations against them. What these individuals did was nothing short of barbaric.”
The Imo State Police Command has promised to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice for Chima Okafor. “We are committed to ensuring that justice prevails, and we will work tirelessly to ensure all those responsible are held accountable,” CP Aboki Danjuma said in a statement.
For now, the Okafor family waits in anguish for justice to take its course, while the Imo community grapples with the shocking events that led to the senseless loss of a young life. The case continues to raise serious concerns about the escalation of violence in the region, with many urging for stronger efforts to curb such acts and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights.
As the investigation moves forward, the hope is that justice will not only be served for Chima Okafor but that the wider issue of mob violence and extrajudicial punishment will be addressed more effectively by the authorities.
