A prominent Anambra businessman, Ifesinachi Onyekere, popularly known as “Fish Magnet,” has been gruesomely killed by suspected kidnappers despite his family paying a ransom for his release.
The incident, which has sparked outrage and fear across the state, reportedly occurred after the victim was abducted by gunmen at an undisclosed location. Family sources confirmed that a ransom was paid to secure his release, but the assailants went ahead to kill him.
The tragic news was made public through multiple social media reports on Monday, with a viral post by user @ChucksE on platform X (formerly Twitter), drawing attention to the growing insecurity in the region. “They collected ransom and still killed Fish Magnet. What a country,” one post lamented.
Though the exact amount paid as ransom was not disclosed, the killing has drawn parallels with other recent abduction cases in the state, where victims were killed despite ransom payments. In June, a female banker, Ifeoma Onyekwelu, was abducted in Onitsha, and even after ₦25 million was paid, she was found dead along the Nnobi-Alor Road with signs of torture.
Similarly, another community leader, High Chief Gbafankiti na Nimo, was also murdered by kidnappers after his family reportedly paid ₦15 million in ransom.
When contacted, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said investigations have been launched into the latest killing, with efforts underway to apprehend the perpetrators. “We are aware of the incident and are currently working to unravel the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death,” he stated.
The killing of Onyekere adds to the growing list of abduction-for-ransom cases in Anambra State, which has seen a surge in violent crimes in recent months. Communities such as Ogboji, Oko, and parts of Onitsha have become hotspots for cult-related attacks and kidnappings, prompting calls for urgent security intervention.
Security experts and residents have called on the state government to strengthen intelligence-gathering mechanisms, deploy more personnel, and introduce community policing initiatives to address the rising tide of crime.
As of the time of filing this report, no arrests have been made in connection with the killing of Ifesinachi Onyekere. His remains have reportedly been recovered by his family and taken for burial.
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