Fracas as gamblers beat colleague to death

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI – Palpable  anxiety engulfed the rural community of Ibeafor Umunumo, Ehime Mbano local government area of Imo State, as some gamblers beat their colleague to death.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the deceased, Mr. Ifeanyi Obi, a commercial motorcycle operator, hailed from Alike Umunumo but was resident at Aforebu within the local council area.

It was further gathered that trouble started when Ifeanyi, who won virtually all the games, said he was retiring home after the day’s gambling but was stopped by his colleagues.

A villager told Vanguard that Ifeanyi was intent on going home with his winnings and efforts to make him continue failed and a serious fracas ensued.

“Ifeanyi was mercilessly beaten up by his colleagues and he collapsed on the spot. A set of people who heard the noise came to his rescue and quickly moved him to a nearby hospital, where he was revived,” a villager recounted.

It was also gathered that on regaining his consciousness, Ifeanyi reeled out the names of his attackers before he went into coma and died.

The villager further revealed that on getting the news of his son’s death, the mother, Mrs. Martha Obi, quickly reported the incident to Ehime Mbano Divisional Police headquarters and all the people named by Ifeanyi were arrested.