By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The commercial city of Awka, Anambra State, has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of a 17-year-old boy, identified as Master Chikamso Ejiofor, who was reportedly shot dead after exposing a theft syndicate operating in Eke Awka Market.
According to reports gathered by this reporter, the late Chikamso, a native of Umuzocha Village, Awka, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was an apprentice serving a woman who sells fowls and other items at the market.
Trouble, however, began after the young apprentice uncovered that some boys within the market had been stealing from his boss and secretly selling the stolen goods to a nearby trader. In a show of honesty and courage, Chikamso reportedly alerted his Madam and even assisted her in tracing and recovering the stolen items from the neighbouring shop.
The disclosure, however, did not go down well with the culprits, who allegedly began threatening him to stop coming to the market. Unbeknownst to the young boy, their threats were deadly serious.
Sadly, after finishing his day’s sales on Saturday night, October 11, 2025, the deceased was allegedly trailed by the suspects and shot dead around 8–9 p.m. as he made his way home.
Confirming the tragic incident in a post on her social media account, Chikamso’s elder sister, who goes by the name Nasa Love, narrated the ordeal and described the killing as “heart-wrenching and cruel,” adding that her brother was murdered simply for doing the right thing.
According to her account, the deceased had earlier informed their family about the theft he uncovered in his workplace but never mentioned the threats he was receiving from the boys involved.
“My brother was serving one woman at Eke Awka Market where they sell fowls,” she wrote.
Continuing, she wrote that Chikamso “found out that some boys were stealing from their madam and not remitting the money. He reported them, and his boss rewarded him with love and trust.
“Later, he exposed a bigger theft involving expensive goods that were stolen and sold to another shop. After that, those boys started warning him to stop coming to the shop. On that fateful Saturday, after making sales and returning home, they followed him and shot him dead.”
The suspects are said to still be on the run as of the time of this report, while the family and residents of the area have continued to call on the Anambra State Police Command to swing into action and ensure that the perpetrators are tracked down and brought to justice.
The late Chikamso’s death has continued to elicit widespread grief and condemnation from members of the public, who described it as a heartbreaking reminder of how insecurity and moral decay continue to threaten the lives of innocent people, especially those who stand for truth and integrity.
Meanwhile, according to his family, a candlelight procession will be held in his honour on Saturday, October 25, 2025, while his burial ceremony will take place the following day, Sunday, October 26, 2025, at his father’s compound, Late Alandu Compound (Opposite Chicken Republic), Umuzocha, Awka.
Nasa expressed faith that justice would prevail and prayed that God would grant her late brother eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
However, when contacted by this reporter, Izunna Okafor, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Toochukwu Ikenga, said there was no such information before him.
