By JUDEX OKORO, Calabar

Tragedy struck in Esighi community in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State as the traditional ruler of Efut Esighi Isu Ekom, Muri Okon Effiong Odionka, was allegedly shot dead by gunmen in his house in Calabar, the state capital.

The late Muri Odionka was said to have been killed in his residence at Bayside axis of Calabar South, by suspected hired assassins.

Investigations by Daily Sun revealed that the former traditional ruler had a running battle with some members of the family over some irreconcilable differences. Family sources stated that the assassins might have trailed him from his village in Bakassi as they killed him a few hours after entering the town.

“The way and manner he was killed was as if the assailants have been trailing him. He came in on Thursday and we suddenly saw some boys moving around and within a short while we heard gunshots and behold, it was Muri they hit along the Bayside.

“Besides, the alleged assassins numbering more than four, were not in a hurry as they ensured he was dead before they vamoosed.”

Speaking on the incident, the second son of the deceased, Mr Odionka Okon Effiong, said the dismembered body of his father was deposited same day at the General Hospital mortuary.

He said the police team from Atakpa Division arrived the scene of the crime shortly after the killers had escaped.

Also, Mrs. Sarah Okon Effiong, wife of the late Muri, said her husband left Esighi village in Bakassi on Thursday last week to Calabar, only to be butchered same day.

She said: “I was in the village that day but at about 11.30 pm, my son called to inform me that my husband has been killed. The killers, who were about six, came with his photograph, traced him to his bedroom where they tied him to a cushion chair, shot at him and then butchered his head into pieces with axes.

The Police spokesman, ASP Hogan Bassey in the state, confirmed the death of Muri Odionka and said the matter was  under investigation.



Source: Sun