By Sophia Afolabi

Panic has gripped residents of Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area over the weekend after unidentified gunmen brazenly assassinated a well-known businessman outside his beer parlour.

The attack occurred around 7 p.m. on Saturday near Glamour Pizza, just opposite the Federal Polytechnic Oko and directly across from the victim’s own business premises, a popular local hangout spot.

According to eyewitnesses and viral footage circulating on social media, the victim was inside his Lexus vehicle when assailants in another vehicle intercepted him. The armed men reportedly opened fire at close range, shooting him three times before fleeing the scene.

The State Police Command confirmed the incident and described it as linked to ongoing cult violence in the area. Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated that one suspect has already been apprehended and is currently undergoing interrogation.

“It was a cult-related killing,” Ikenga said. “Following the swift response of police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), one suspect was arrested. The deceased’s body has been deposited in the morgue, and his vehicle was recovered from the scene.”

Authorities have launched a full investigation, and further updates are expected as the inquiry progresses.

The brutal nature of the killing and its proximity to a major educational institution have heightened concerns about security in the region. Residents are calling on the government and law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to clamp down on criminal activities plaguing the area.