By CHARLES IWUOHA

Unknown gunmen on Monday invaded Ngbojiogu Community in Ohaukwu Local government Area of Ebonyi State, killing a young businessman, Mr Ikechukwu Idenyi Ali.

The Incident occurred at Okwor market in the community.

The Chairman of the local government area, Prince Ikechukwu Odono who spoke with newsmen on Tuesday shortly after visiting the scene, confirmed the death of Idenyi Ali.

According to him, multiple gunshots on the young businessman were reportedly released by the gunmen while locking up his shop at the popular Okwor market in the council.

He added that the stakeholders of the community will be meeting with security agencies to investigate those behind the killing.

He, however, assured the residents of the community and the market traders to go about their normal businesses as he deployed the security operatives to be on groundto restore peace and order in the affected area.

“Monday, 10thMay, 2024 around 10 pm, unknown gunmen came to our village market, Okwor with a motorbike and shot one Mr Ikechukwu Ali while he was locking up his shop in the night hours of the day.

“This morning, when the information came to me, I quickly went there alongside with the Deputy Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon Chinedu Onah, policemen and other relevant political stakeholders ofOhaukwu local government area who condemned the gravity of the crime.

“When I got there, many youths of that community were engaging in a peaceful demonstration to condemn the painful killing of the man in his shop. After addressing them, I made sure that no life or property was tampered with,” Odono said.

When contacted, Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said security operatives have been deployed to commence an investigation to unravel perpetrators of the heinous crime and other killings in the area.