By Collins Osuji, Owerri

Tears freely flowed yesterday, in Orlu following reported killing of a legal practitioner, one Darlington Chidume Odume, popularly known as Omekagu, by suspected gunmen in Imo State.

The victim, whose wife was said to be a serving police officer, The Guardian learnt was called to Bar about five years ago.

His murder came barely two days after an Anglican Priest, Rev. Emeka Merenu was killed at his parsonage in Iheteukwa, Orsu Local Council, by yet to be identified persons.

It was learnt that the assailants shot Odume in front of a supermarket at Umudara Amaifeke Orlu, Orlu Local Government Area of the state.

A source told The Guardian that the late Odume was a renowned lawyer in Orlu handling some cases of those arrested in connection with violence rocking the area.

According to the source, the victim, who was rushed to a hospital in the area but was rejected and referred to the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, gave up the ghost on the way to the teaching hospital.

“They stormed a supermarket at Umudara Amaifeke, Orlu and shot him in the chest and zoomed off.

“He was rushed to a hospital in the area but they rejected him, referring them to the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, but he died along the way.

“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.

“The entire community has been thrown into mourning”, the source stated. The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Michael Abattam, who confirmed the incident, said the Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Rabiu has ordered full investigation into the incident.

“The Commissioner of Police has already detailed the Commissioner of Police in charge of CID to do a thorough investigation into the matter and to apprehend those behind the act,” he said.