Enugu: Reactions Trail Assassination Of AutoEase CEO

Reactions, Tuesday, trailed the assassination of the chief executive of AutoEase, Mr Ifeanyi Okeke, in Enugu Sunday night.

The company, which specializes in panel beating, auto-body spray, oven bake, among others, is reputed among the best in the state.

THE WHISTLER reports that Mr Okeke was assassinated while returning to his Brick Estate, by Ekweremadu Drive, Independence Layout, Enugu. He was killed in the presence of his seven-year-old son, said to have gone to have a hair-cut, our correspondent gathered.

A respondent, on condition of anonymity, said his car was hit by the vehicle driven by his assailants, prompting him to pull over to confront them. It was gathered that his killers ordered him to lie down on the floor, and shot his stomach, and made away with his mobile phone. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

A panel beater at New Market, Enugu, Moses Ibu, described his death as shocking. In his words, “AutoEast is the most reputable panel beating company in Enugu as a whole. Mr Okeke was dedicated to his work. He was a straightforward man.”

An elder statesman, Paul Chukwu, said, “Killing a promising young man in that fashion is very unfortunate. I know him as an easy-going person. He was doing well.

“Insecurity in the country is becoming alarming because of bad government. The hitherto peaceful Southeast has turned into something else. Let the security agencies fish out his killers and bring them to justice. Above all, jobs should be provided for the youth.”

The police public relations officer, Enugu State, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, in a release, said, the state commissioner of police, CP Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu, had ordered the command’s Criminal Investigation Department to commence investigations into the matter.

According to him, “Following information received on 04/07/2021, at about 2030hrs, that hoodlums were operating at Bricks Estate, Independence Layout, Enugu, police operatives attached to the Layout’s police division, immediately raced to the scene.

“On sighting the operatives, the criminal elements fled, while their victim, later identified as Ifeanyi Okeke, whom they shot severally, was rushed to the nearest hospital, where he was confirmed dead by doctors on duty.”

He called on the members of the public with useful information towards the arrest of the culprits to contact the command through 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 or 08098880172.