Tragedy struck in Umuora village, Umuohiri community, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, as a man, Chibugo Amadi, was reportedly beaten to death by his own kinsmen in a case of jungle justice.
According to reports, the incident followed a violent altercation that occurred about two weeks ago, during which the deceased allegedly attacked his brother with a machete over a minor disagreement. The brother, who was left seriously injured and in a pool of blood, was rushed to a nearby hospital where he survived.
Angered by Chibugo’s actions, members of his village decided to take the law into their own hands. They caught him, stripped him naked, and paraded him through the community while beating him with sticks and planks. During the assault, Chibugo collapsed. Though he was rushed to a hospital in Okwelle, Onuimo LGA, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
An activist and journalist, Chidiebube Okeoma, founder of the Stand for Humanity Foundation, condemned the act and called for justice. During a press briefing in Owerri on Sunday, Okeoma revealed that the assailants fled after confirming Chibugo’s death and left his body in a mortuary.
Okeoma further stated that videos of the mob action, which were recorded and shared on social media, clearly show the faces of those involved. He described the incident as a deliberate and intentional act of murder.
“In the videos, you can see how they stripped him, beat him publicly, and even recorded it as if it was something to celebrate. When his 18-year-old son met them at the hospital, they tried to lie that he fell from a tree,” Okeoma said.
He also alleged that the attackers had earlier conspired to sell the deceased’s four plots of land at a low price before murdering him. “After selling his land, they still chose to kill him right in front of his wife and children. This is not just jungle justice — it is murder,” he added.
Chibugo’s widow, Mrs. Chinonye Amadi, along with three of her eight children, has sought help from the Stand for Humanity Foundation. According to Okeoma, the Foundation’s legal adviser, Chijioke Onwubuariri, submitted a petition to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma. The Commissioner has reportedly approved the petition, and the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has taken over the case.
Okeoma vowed that the foundation would pursue the case until justice is served. “We are calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to support this fight for justice. The suspects may be on the run, but they will not escape the law,” he said.
The case adds to the growing list of jungle justice incidents in Nigeria, sparking fresh calls for public awareness and stronger enforcement of the rule of law to prevent mob killings and promote legal redress.
