Gunmen Kill Only Son, Anambra in Shock and Fury

The people of Anambra State have been left heartbroken and enraged following the brutal abduction and murder of a promising young entrepreneur, Ifesinachi Martins Onyekesi, in Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area.

The tragic incident occurred last Saturday when heavily armed men stormed Mr. Onyekesi’s residence in Ezinifite village, dragging him from his home after shooting him in the leg.

Eyewitnesses say the assailants arrived in an ash-coloured Lexus SUV and fled the scene with their victim in his own navy blue Toyota Corolla.

The 36-year-old victim was not just a thriving businessman, he was the Managing Director of Fish Magnet, a popular barbecue and catering company that had become a household name across Anambra.

Many described him as hardworking, humble, and full of vision.

Even more heart-wrenching is the fact that Mr. Onyekesi was the only son of Mrs. Chinyere Onyekesi, the Women Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State.

The grief that now engulfs the Onyekesi family has also rippled through the state, with many calling for justice and stronger security.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, revealed that Onyekesi’s body was later discovered along a roadside in Awka, the state capital.

“Preliminary investigations show that the attackers had trailed the victim before launching the assault. He was shot in the leg, forcibly taken, and later found dead,” Ikenga said.

In a joint effort with local vigilantes, police recovered the victim’s vehicle along the Ukwulu/Igbariam Road, but for many, this offers little comfort.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, has strongly condemned the killing and vowed to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

He has also directed all intelligence and tactical units to intensify efforts in identifying and capturing those responsible.

“This act of evil will not go unpunished,” the commissioner said in a statement.

“We are assuring the family of the deceased and the entire people of Anambra that no stone will be left unturned in tracking down the criminals.”

A Growing Security Crisis in the South-East

The gruesome killing of Ifesinachi Onyekesi is the latest in a disturbing trend of insecurity plaguing Anambra and other parts of Nigeria’s South-east.

From brazen attacks on public officials and police stations to kidnappings and cold-blooded assassinations, many residents say they are now living in fear.

In recent years, hundreds of people have been killed or abducted in such attacks across the region.

Business owners, commuters, students, and even traditional rulers have not been spared.

The Federal Government has consistently pointed fingers at the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), accusing the group of orchestrating many of the attacks.

IPOB, which is agitating for an independent Biafran state, has, however, denied any involvement in the violence.

Still, the rising tide of fear and lawlessness in the region continues to cast a shadow over daily life.

Many small business owners now close shop earlier than usual, and evening travel in some communities has become a risk too high to take.

A Call for Justice and Lasting Peace

For residents of Anambra, the murder of Ifesinachi Onyekere is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for effective security reform.

Many have taken to social media and community platforms to express anger, sorrow, and frustration.

“He was our son, our brother, our friend.

“A hustler who gave back to the community.

“If he is not safe in his own home, who is?” one resident wrote.

As mourning deepens, calls for government action grow louder.

There is an urgent need to protect lives and livelihoods, especially as the people of Anambra continue striving to build a better future despite economic and security challenges.

Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.

The killers of Ifesinachi Martins Onyekesi must be found, tried, and punished.

Only then can the people of Anambra begin to heal.

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