Unknown gunmen kill Saudi Arabia-based oil expert in Kogi
A Saudi Arabia-based oil expert, Ogacheko Atanu, has been killed by unknown gunmen in his Idah residence in Kogi State.
The incident happened at about 11pm on Saturday when the deceased was about retiring to his bed.
It was also gathered that when the assassins stormed the compound of late Atanu, he was asked to say his last prayers before he was shot repeatedly.
Ukubile Atanu, his elder brother who is a lecturer in the Art and Design Department of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday.
Ukubile, who could not hold his tears while speaking on the death of his younger brother, charged security agencies to bring his brother’s killers to book.
“When they (gunmen) entered his compound at about 11pm on Saturday, they told him (late Ogacheko Atanu) to say his last prayers before they killed him. He told them that he would give them money so they can spare his life, but they refused. That was how he was shot repeatedly. They didn’t touch the gateman.
Read Also: Saudi Aramco, Petrobras, offer lessons for Nigeria’s oil reform quest
“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,” he said.
The deceased, who is survived by four children and an aged mother, was billed to travel out of Idah on Sunday for Abuja, where he was expected to pick a flight to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), William Aya, has confirmed the incident, saying 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 (Sunday) at 05:00hours. Unknown masked men numbering about four entered the compound of the deceased through the fence. They told the security man to open the gate while the deceased was relaxing with his friend inside the compound. The gunmen told all of them to lie down. They later told the owner of the house to stand up and shot him. His body had been moved to the mortuary for autopsy and effort is being intensified to get the perpetrators of this evil act,” he said.