Anambra Government Pledges Justice Over Gruesome Killing of Fish Magnet Boss, Security Forces Vow Crackdown

 

The gruesome murder of Mr. Martin Ifesinachi Onyekesi, a prominent businessman and owner of the popular fish enterprise Fish Magnet, has shaken the people of Anambra State, triggering a fresh wave of concern over safety and law enforcement. His abduction and subsequent killing have cast a grim shadow over the efforts of the current administration to clamp down on rising insecurity.

Onyekesi, widely known as one of the foremost fish dealers in Awka, was reportedly shot in the leg by unidentified assailants during an abduction at his residence. Despite his family complying with ransom demands, his lifeless body was later found dumped in Amawbia, a quiet town now rocked by the weight of this tragedy. The incident has fueled public outcry, with citizens urging Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to escalate the fight against armed criminality.

Shock and sorrow echoed through the community as the news of Onyekesi’s death broke. Many residents have begun to question the effectiveness of existing security measures, pointing fingers at lapses in intelligence and enforcement.

Determined not to let the incident go unanswered, the Anambra State Government has publicly declared its commitment to hunting down the perpetrators. Dr. Law Mefor, Commissioner for Information, led a government delegation to the family of the deceased. During a condolence visit to the home of Mrs. Esther Onyekesi, mother of the late businessman and current Woman Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Mefor expressed the administration’s deep sorrow and unwavering resolve to see justice done.

Calling the act “dastardly” and “heart-wrenching,” Mefor emphasized that such an event strikes at the heart of the administration’s renewed security framework. “This is not just a crime against one family. It is a direct affront to the security vision of Governor Soludo’s administration,” he said. He reassured the grieving mother that her son’s death would not be treated as another unsolved case, pledging that both the family and the people of Anambra would see justice carried out in full.

Security operatives, according to Mefor, have already made progress in the investigation. The vehicle used during the abduction has been recovered, and intelligence reports are pointing to active leads. Law enforcement agencies have reportedly intensified their efforts to track down the suspects, with state-backed units such as Agunechemba and Operation Udo Ga-Achi mobilized to clamp down on criminal strongholds.

Mefor reiterated that no criminal should believe they can operate within Anambra and escape consequences. He hailed the current security apparatus, describing it as one of the most aggressive and results-driven the state has seen in recent years. “Since February 18, 2025, when Governor Soludo formally unveiled the new security structure, our response to criminal threats has grown sharper and more efficient. Communities that previously felt unsafe have begun to breathe easier,” he noted.

Despite the progress claimed by the administration, critics argue that the killing of a high-profile businessman such as Onyekesi points to lingering vulnerabilities. Calls for improved surveillance, community policing, and better synergy between local and federal forces are growing louder.

Community leaders, business owners, and civil society organizations have joined voices in demanding comprehensive reform that addresses the root causes of insecurity. Many insist that the government must not only pursue the killers of Onyekesi but also ensure such a tragedy never repeats itself.

The murder of the Fish Magnet boss has underscored a painful truth, the battle against crime in Anambra is far from over. Yet, in the face of tragedy, the government’s response and the public’s call for accountability may mark a turning point in the ongoing fight for peace and order across the state.