A 56-year-old suspected drug dealer, Bode Akinsiku has been killed in Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo Local Government Area of Ondo State by unknown assailants.
Akinsiku, who was murdered at about 6:15 am on Tuesday, at a popular joint in Loro street, Odosida axis of the town was known as a prominent drug dealer in the area.
According to sources, the deceased was shot at close range after he was trailed to a bar by his yet to be identified killers.
One of the sources, who craved anonymity, revealed that Akinsiku arrived at the joint to meet with some people in the early hours of Tuesday.
“He arrived at the bar and met with some people. While he was talking with them, his phone rang and he received a call.
“It was while he was receiving the call that some boys arrived on a motorcycle. One of the boys approached him and asked if he could identify himself.
“They both engaged in a heated shouting match for some seconds before he was shot several times at close range.”
“The gunman, after shooting Bode, crossed to the other side of the road and shot sporadically to scare residents. He later hopped on a getaway motorcycle.
Meanwhile, the death of Akinsiku created panic in the area with shops and businesses horridly closed while the area was deserted over fear of arrest.
Police operatives from Enuowa Divisional Police Station later arrived at the scene and evacuated the lifeless body to the Ondo State Specialist Hospital.
The Police spokesman in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, who confirmed the incident, stated that it was a cult related killing.
Ayanlade, who stressed that cult clashes have been rampant in the area, said efforts are ongoing to apprehend those behind the killing.
He also urged residents to be law-abiding and report any information which could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
