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The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the gruesome murder of a 48-year-old man, Mr Michael Nnaji, a native of Amuri in the Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Tuesday night at the Amaka Ngbo community in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi state, where the man lived.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Wednesday, said on getting the information, he contacted the Ohaukwu Police Divisional Headquarters and the team immediately moved to the scene for an investigation.
“Yes, my brother. The Ohaukwu Divisional Police Officer called me and informed me about it; and immediately, our men moved to the scene.
“We have launched an investigation into the incident, although no arrest has been made. But we are investigating the matter,” Ukandu said.
He said he had yet to be briefed on the details of the incident and assured the community that the command would carry out an in-depth investigation into the crime and ensure the perpetrators were apprehended and prosecuted.
The businessman and member of the local security in the Ngbo area, Nnaji, was said to have been shot twice by the hoodlums who invaded his business area at about 9:45 pm.
A family source, who spoke on the grounds of anonymity said the gunmen numbering two operated with a motorcycle and were also masked.
“We were at the shop, at about 9:45 pm, and the two young men zoomed into the compound wearing masks. One came in from the front door, while the other came in from the back door. Immediately, they made their way to the parlour where Mike was relaxing and shot him twice.
“Immediately I heard the gunshot, I rushed out from the backward and one of them grabbed me, collected my phone and dragged me to the house but as God would have it, I freed myself from him and ran to the nearby compound.
“As a result of the gunshot, most of the residents of the area scampered for safety leaving him and the gunmen. After shooting him, they set him ablaze inside the house and zoomed off.”
He said out of fear, nobody came around for his rescue and his corpse was severely burnt. while other household items including two deep freezers, television sets, chairs, tables, fan, cooking utensils, cash and other items were all completely burnt.
The family source maintained that the deceased, who had been residing in the community for a good number of years, was a quiet and jovial man and wondered why people would carry out such barbaric acts on him.
The community leader who also spoke on grounds of anonymity, called on security agencies to ensure justice was served on the perpetrators of the crime adding that the incessant killings in the area were becoming alarming.
The remains of the deceased had been evacuated from the scene of the incident to the Ezza Ngbo General Hospital mortuary while residents of the community were seen in clusters discussing the ugly incident on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Ohaukwu Council Chairman, Mr Ikechukwu Odono, was among the early callers to the scene of the incident.
