Youths of Ifu-Ogo Nguzu community in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State,  reportedly tortured an 18-year-old Ebonyi preacher to death, for reportedly pulling down a late monarch’s statue.

The deceased, who was the son of the pastor of Seed of Christ and Fire Ministry, in the community, Mr. Okon Ikwor, accidentally pulled down the statue of the late traditional ruler of the community Ezeogo Chima Onu while preaching in the community.

Punch reported that he was immediately arrested by youths of the community, who tied him down at Amanato Court Area and tortured him mercilessly, leading to his death. The irate youths also proceeded to the residence of Ezekiel’s father and set his two bungalows ablaze, after killing his son who pulled down the late monarch’s statue accidentally.

“The boy was tortured under the supervision of a royal father in the area (name withheld) and in the process he died in the late hours of the night.

“When the youths discovered that the boy had died, they buried him secretly without the consent of the father and since then the father had been denied access to the graveyard of the son” an eyewitness said.

The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Lovet Odah, who confirmed the incident said that the police had commenced investigation into the killing. It was also gathered that the father of the deceased, Pastor Okon Ikwor, had petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, Titus Lamorde, on the killing of his son.

He called on the police boss to ensure that the suspected killers were arrested and prosecuted, stressing that he had not only lost his son, all his property had been destroyed by the rampaging youths.

It was also reported few months ago, that a sixty-year-old man, Philip Ugwu was confirmed dead after he was stoned by worshipers of a church in Afikpo LGA in Ebonyi state.