By Kayode Afolabi, Ore

Panic gripped residents of Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government area of Ondo State, as a popular building materials merchant, Ismaila Awoyinka, was killed by unknown gunmen.

The Hope Metro gathered that the incident occurred at his residence, opposite Caring Heart Mega School, in the Idi Mango area of Ore, on Saturday.

According to a source, “he was killed moments after leaving the mosque following the Taraweeh prayer (a voluntary prayer during Ramadan), just a short distance from his house, around 8:35 p.m. on the fateful day.

“After he left the mosque, some individuals 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,” the source said.

Our correspondent, who visited the scene of the incident, observed that sympathisers gathered en masse at his residence upon hearing the news of his sudden death.

Speaking with our correspondent, the Odigbo Local Government Chairman, Hon. Taiwo Adegoroye, expressed shock over the brutal assassination of the businessman.

Additionally, some community leaders in the area condemned the killing and urged residents to be extra vigilant, especially at night.