A popular lawyer in Imo state, Mr Darlington Odume has been killed by gunmen in the Orlu Local Government Area of the state, Punch is reporting.
The lawyer who was popularly known as Omekagu, was shot at a supermarket at Amaifeke in Orlu.
Odume, a native of Umudara village in Amaifeke- Orlu, was called to the Nigerian Bar Association, five years ago. He had his chamber in Orlu town and was handling some cases of those arrested in connection with the violence rocking the area.
According to a source who narrated the circumstances surrounding his death, the victim was rushed to a hospital in the area but was rejected. He was referred to the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, but died on the way to the teaching hospital.
The source said, “They stormed a supermarket at Umudara Amaifeke, Orlu and shot him on the chest and zoomed off.
“He was rushed to a hospital in the area, but they rejected him, referring them to the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, but he died along the way.
“Omekagu was handling some of the cases of those arrested and believed to be innocent due to the violence in Orlu. His wife is a Police officer.
“The entire community has been thrown into mourning. His wife is a serving Police officer. This is very unfortunate.”
This incident is coming on the heels of the recent gruesome murder of an Anglican priest in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo state.
The Interim Committee chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Precious Nwadike, who hails from Orlu, confirmed the assassination of the lawyer.
The journalist, who called on security operatives to fish out the killers, also called on the government to ensure that lives and property are secured.
The Police spokesperson for the state, Michael Abattam, confirmed the killing and added that the state Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hussaini, had ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
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