There was panic in Imo State on Thursday after news broke that gunmen killed a lawyer, Darlington Odume.

Odume, popularly known as Omekagu, was shot in the chest at close range by the hoodlums, who trailed him to a supermarket at Amaifeke in Orlu, in the Orlu Local Government Area of the state.

The incident, which occurred around 6pm, created pandemonium in the area, as residents scampered for safety.

The victim, a native of Umudara village in Amaifeke-Orlu, was called to the Bar five years ago.

A source said the Odume, who was rushed to a hospital in the area, was rejected and referred to the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, adding that he gave up the ghost on the way to the teaching hospital.

The source said, “The gunmen stormed a supermarket at Umudara Amaifeke, Orlu, shot him in the chest and zoomed off.

“Omekagu was handling some of the cases of those arrested and believed to be innocent due to the violence in Orlu. His wife is a police officer. This is very unfortunate.”

The Interim Committee Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Precious Nwadike, confirmed the assassination of the lawyer to our correspondent.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Michael Abattam, who also confirmed the incident, said the police were working to get details for necessary action.

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