The Anambra State Police Command has revealed the facts surrounding the death of Fish Magnet Outlet’s Managing Director, Ifesinachi Onyekere.
According to a news release issued by the command on Wednesday, Onyekere, also known as Fish Magnet, was slain on July 27 in the Okpuno district of the state capital, Awka.
According to authorities, the deceased was ambushed at his home in Ezinifite village and shot in the leg before being forcibly carried away by the attackers.
The police described the incident as a “targeted attack” and stated that Onyekere’s lifeless body was later discovered but did not specify whether it was found on the same day or later.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the attackers had trailed the victim before striking.
“His navy blue Toyota Corolla was recovered by a joint team of police officers and Anambra Vigilante Operatives along the Ukwulu/Igbariam road, suggesting a planned getaway route,” the police said.
The Anambra Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, has condemned the murder and urged all tactical and intelligence units to step up their efforts to find the offenders.
“This is a cowardly act. We owe it to the victim’s family, to the people of Anambra, and to his memory to ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law,” Orutugu said.
The police advised the public to stay calm and cooperative throughout the continuing investigations, promising them that information would be provided when progress was made.
The death of Onyekere, who was well-known for his fish retail business in Awka, elicited strong reactions from Nigerians, many of whom knew him personally.
Also, the deceased was the son of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) women leader in Anambra State.
Reacting to the gruesome murder of the deceased, a business influencer, Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze, said, “Only yesterday, I was trying to buy fish for 98k from this Igbo boy that I love so much called Fish Magnet.
“I didn’t know he had been killed. Honest, hard-working Igbo boy who sells dry fish. I am deeply saddened by this news. See how VDM is crying for him. I am in deep pain,” she said.
Social media critic Martins Otse, popularly called VDM, reacted to the incident in a video where he overlaid footage of the deceased offering him a large-sized fish for lending his voice to the plight of traders in Onitsha.
