Gunmen Assassinate A Saudi Arabia Based Kogi Oil Experts In Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

Unknown gunmen on Saturday in  Idah killed a Saudi Arabia based oil expert, Ogacheko Atanu, in his residence at Idah in Kogi State.

It was gathered that the incident happened on Saturday night at about 11.00 pm when the deceased was relaxing in his compound.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that when the assassins stormed the late Ogacheko Atanu’s compound, they asked him to say his last prayers before he was shot repeatedly.

His elder brother, Mr Ukubile Atanu, a lecturer with the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Art and Design Department confirmed the incident during a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday.

According to him, “when they(gunmen) entered his compound at about 11.00PM on Saturday, they told his brother( late Ogacheko Atanu) to say his last prayers before they kill him despite his plea to offer them any amount to spare his life.

“After he was killed, his gateman went straight to police station to report the incident. I must tell you, this is another black day in our family. Those behind this evil act must be brought to book” the source said.

It was further learnt that the deceased who is survived by four children, including an eighty years old mother was billed to travel out of Idah on Sunday for Abuja were he is expected to take a flight to Saudi Arabia.

When contacted, the Kogi State Police Public Relation Officer, (PPRO) DSP William Aya who confirmed the incident said the command received a report about the assassination of the deceased at about 05:00 hours on Sunday.

”The security man of the deceased reported the incident to Idah Police division today at 05:00hours. Unknown masked men numbering about four entered the compound of the deceased through the fence while the deceased was relaxing with his friend inside the compound.”

“The gunmen told all of them to lie down while they command the owner of the house to stand up before they shot him.”

“His body had since been moved to the hospital for autopsy and effort is being intensified to get the perpetuators of this evil act” he added.