Residents of Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area in Ondo State, were thrown into panic following the assassination of a well-known building materials merchant, Ismaila Awoyinka, by unidentified gunmen.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Saturday at his residence, located opposite Caring Heart Mega School in the Idi Mango area of Ore.
Eyewitnesses recounted that Awoyinka was ambushed shortly after leaving the mosque following the Taraweeh prayer, a voluntary prayer observed during Ramadan.
“He was attacked just moments after he left the mosque, around 8:35 p.m., near his house,” a source revealed.
“The assailants, dressed in white, arrived on a motorcycle and hid nearby. As he approached his residence, they suddenly emerged and shot him at close range. His intestines were exposed, and he died on the spot.”
The gruesome attack drew a large crowd of sympathizers to his home, where many expressed shock and sorrow over the sudden loss.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Hon. Taiwo Adegoroye, described the assassination as a shocking and tragic event.
Community leaders in the area also condemned the killing and urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly during nighttime hours.
Authorities are yet to confirm any arrests related to the murder as investigations continue.