*Hoodlums Steal Deceased’s Two Cars, Others
By Ovie Okpare
Facts are already emerging as to how the founder of the popular Warri Choral Society (WCS), Pa. Joe Ayomike and his wife, were gruesomely murdered at their home in Warri, Delta State.
Their home is located along the School Road besides Nana College in the Warri GRA, commercial nerve centre of Delta.
Pa Ayomike’s wife, Dr. (Mrs) Chinyere Shirley Ayomike, was a senior lecturer in the music department at the Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka, owned by the state government.
Findings by NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online revealed that the killers of the couple reportedly shot and matcheted them to death.
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The fleeing suspects also reportedly carted away valuables including two exotic cars belonging to the late couple.
Having murdered the classic music lover and promoter and his wife, the assassins allegedly locked the victims in one of their rooms in the compound and fled with some items including the vehicles from the residence.
It was learnt that the deceased were killed between Friday night and Saturday but their decomposing corpse were only found on Monday morning.
The foul smell from the residence was said to have attracted visitors including family members who have been making frantic efforts to speak with either of them since on Saturday morning to no avail.
The deceased’s mobile phones were said to have been switched off since on Saturday while the gate to the compound were under lock and key.
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Following offensive smell, the visitors were alleged to have forced the gate and doors in the compound opened. Their corpses were found to be already decomposing.
The security guard to the deceased music lover is being alleged to be missing with his telephone not reachable.
The late Pa Ayomike, Itsekiri from Ugborodo in Warri South LGA, recently celebrated his 86th birthday anniversary with family and friends.
He attended the prestigious London school of Economics.
He was younger brother of Pa Johnson Oritsegbubemi Sunday Ayomike, a popular Itsekiri historian, who died in 2017.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Bright Edafe, confirmed the sad incident, saying the state police command had swung into action to unravel what led to the couple’s death.
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Meanwhile, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT) has demanded for a thorough investigation into the killing of the couple.
ILoT Chairman, Chief Edward Ekpoko, “I received the news with shock. The elder brother was our Chairman. The late Pa Joseph had been relating with us on matters that affect Itsekiri nation. You knew him with his Choral concert.
“The death was painful. He just celebrated his 86th birthday about a week ago. He would be greatly missed by all. We urge the Police to get to the root of the death.”
Similarly, Warri South Council chairman, Dr Michael Tidi, has vowed to work with relevant authorities to ensure that the culprits behind the murder of the deceased arrested and prosecuted.
Tidi in a statement on Monday by his Media Assistant, Francis Sadhere, described the incident as shocking and unbelievable.
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“The gruesome murder of Pa Joe Ayomike and his wife is a huge blow.
“I want to assure you that as the Chief Security officer of Warri South council area, we are going to do all within our powers to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book.
“We will not rest until the killers are brought to book.
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Warri South Local Government Area, we condole with the Ayomike family and the entire Itsekiri nation at this difficult period”, the statement partly read.