Gunmen killed a 48-year-old man identified as Mr. Micheal Nnaji in Ngbo Amaka village in Ngbo, located within Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Nnaji, originally from Amuri in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State, was a businessman and an active member of the local security team in the community.
The assault unfolded around 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, with attackers setting fire to his residence and belongings after fatally shooting him.
Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
Ukandu stated that, upon receiving the report, he promptly reached out to the Ohaukwu Police Divisional Headquarters.
Officers swiftly responded, deploying a team to investigate the scene. Although preliminary details are still emerging, Ukandu reassured that the State Police Command is committed to a thorough investigation and is determined to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for the violent act.
A family member who witnessed the attack recounted the terrifying events, sharing that two assailants arrived on a motorcycle, both masked.
“We were at the shop, at about 9:45 pm, two young men zoomed into the compound wearing masks; one came in from the front door while the other came in from the back door,” the source said.
According to the witness, the attackers targeted Nnaji directly. “Immediately, they made their way to the parlour where Mike was relaxing and shot him twice.”
The witness described the fear and chaos that ensued, stating, “Immediately I heard the gunshot, I rushed out from the back and one of them grabbed me, collected my phone, and was dragging me to the house but as God will have it, I freed myself from him and ran to the nearby compound.”
Panicked residents fled the scene, leaving Nnaji alone with the assailants. Following the shooting, the gunmen reportedly set Nnaji’s body ablaze inside his own home.
By the time the fire subsided, Nnaji’s body was severely burned, along with various household items, including deep freezers along with various household items including, chairs, tables, a fan, cooking utensils, cash and other possessions, all of which were completely destroyed in the flames.
The entire community remains in shock and grief as police continue their investigation into this harrowing incident.
