The tragic incident happened during the swearing-in ceremony of new executive committee of the community on Thursday, July 29.

Ighoshemusua, 50, met his untimely death shortly after formally handing over the baton of leadership to his successor at the event held at the community’s secondary school.

While the deceased was taking a group photograph with the new executives, the vigilante member started shooting in the air in celebration. The pump-action gun was said to have stopped working at some point so he tried to fix it.

It was in the process of fixing the gun that it exploded in the direction of the outgoing President General’s chest, killing him on the spot.

Angered by the sudden killing, the gathering reportedly descended on the gun-wielding vigilante member and clubbed him to death.

"Ighoshemusua tenure as President General of the community has expired and he has successfully handed over to his successor. While the celebration was on, the outgone PG left for his house. After some time, it was discovered that the man was no longer there and they sent for him to take part in a group photograph,” a community source narrated to journalists.

Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ari Muhammed Ali, told journalists that the vigilante member shot the community leader in error after making futile attempts to shoot into the air to add colour to the ceremony.