By LINUS EFFIONG, Umuahia

A36-year-old man, Mr. Samuel Kalu, aka ‘Akilu’ (Bitter Kola) has been shot dead by unknown gunmen while having a haircut at a barbing saloon located at Umuibe Street, off Item Road, Ndiegoro – Aba, Abia State.

Our correspondent reports that the incident, which took place on Thursday morning, threw residents of the area into panic, as they ran away from their homes for fear of the unknown gunmen.

Kalu, who hailed from Igbere, in Bende Local Government Area of the state, was born and bred at the Ndiegoro axis of Aba where he was brutally killed.

Our reporter learnt that Malaysia-based Kalu returned to Nigeria before the COVID-19 lockdown, and was planning to return to the Southeast Asian country before he was assassinated.

A source close to the deceased said while Kalu was having his haircut, he got a call from unknown persons and immediately after answering the call, unknown gunmen besieged the barbing saloon.

According to the source, the gunmen shot Kalu on the head at a close range and took his phone away.

Some residents of the area pleaded with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to do something about the security situation of the entire Ndiegoro axis of Aba, especially the Ngwa Road and Ohanku areas.

When contacted for their reaction, the Abia Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Geoffrey Ogbonna did not respond. (Daily Trust)