Unknown gunmen at the weekend killed a popular building materials merchant in Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Council Area of Ondo State.

The deceased, identified as Ismaila Awoyinka, was shot at close range by some unknown persons at the entrance of his house shortly after observing the Tarawih prayer on the first day of Ramadan.

According to sources, the incident occurred at his residence opposite Caring Heart Mega School, Idi-mango axis of Ore, at the weekend.

One of the sources, who gave his name as Kamoru, disclosed that the assailants, who came on a motorcycle, had hidden in a nearby bush before attacking the businessman.

He said: “He (Awoyinka) was assassinated the moment he left the mosque after Tarawih prayer (a voluntary prayer during Ramadan), very close to his house, around 8:35 p.m. on the fateful day.

“After he left the mosque, some persons dressed in white attire alighted from a motorcycle and hid nearby.

“As the deceased was about to enter his house, they ambushed him and shot him. He was shot at close range, and his intestines were exposed. He died instantly.”

Meanwhile, the neighborhood had been thrown into a state of shock over the killing, with sympathizers trooping to his residence upon hearing the news of his sudden death.

The Chairman of Odigbo Local Council, Taiwo Adegoroye, expressed shock over the assassination, and some community leaders in the area condemned the killing and urged residents to be extra vigilant, especially at night. (The Guardian: Text, Excluding Headline)