By Francis Igata

A policeman attached to the Building Material Task Force of Nsukka Local Government Area in Enugu State was reportedly killed, Wednesday, by a mob for allegedly killing a motorcyclist.

The task force is reportedly charged with ensuring that all building material sellers in Nsukka town and environs carry out their business only in Nsukka building material site located at Uwuaaksi in Obechara.

It was learned that trouble started when the task force officials, in the company of the policemen, swooped on a man who sells cement at Beach Junction, demanding for a fine for not conducting his business at the designated site.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard: “Some people in the area gathered, pleading with the task force members to pity the man as he had not opened shop for sales in the past one week because of ill-health. But the task force officers refused.”

The source added that when the policemen attached to the task force saw people gathering, they started shooting into the air to scare people away and one of the policemen reportedly lost control and shot a motorcyclist.

“When people saw that the man, who was coming out from a restaurant after eating, was dead, those around got angry, pounced on the policeman and beat him comatose,” the source revealed.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the incident even as he revealed that the policeman attacked by the mob later died.

Amaraizu said: “We have commenced investigation into the dastardly act with a view to unravel those behind the act. One mob member and a policeman died in the clash.

“Those found culpable will be prosecuted.”