Photo: Armed Men kill popular Nigerian comedian

Tragedy struck Awka, the Anambra State capital, late on Sunday when unidentified assailants allegedly shot dead a popular comedian and media personality, Isaac Nwosu, popularly known as ‘Aiza Nwosu’, as well as an unidentified middle-aged man.

It was gathered that the two victims were shot at separate locations by the same assailants.

While the comedian was killed along S.M. Okeke Street, Amaikwo, Awka, the other victim was shot dead along Capital City Road, Amaenyi, Awka.

The motive for the killings had yet to be ascertained, but it was gathered that the incident created tension in the area, with residents scampering to safety amid gunshots that rent the air.

However, accounts gathered from some eyewitnesses and residents suggested that the attacks might be connected to cult-related activities.

One of the eyewitnesses near the scene where the comedian was killed said, “The assailants, numbering about three and driving in a tinted vehicle, trailed the comedian from his home, double-crossed his vehicle and later attacked him, shooting him dead. They left the victim in a pool of blood inside his car.

“As they drove some distance away, they also shot another victim dead by the roadside, dispossessed him of his belongings and fled.

“The assailants fired some shots into the air before leaving the scene in a commando-like manner, thereby creating tension in the area. After they left, the security operatives arrived at the scene and recovered the lifeless bodies of the victims.

“The security operatives later beefed up security around the areas following the incident.”

Some videos circulating online also corroborated the incident.

The separate videos showed the lifeless bodies of the victims lying in pools of blood at different locations as onlookers gathered around the scenes.

Confirming the incident in a press statement on Monday, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command had commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and was seeking community support in the ongoing manhunt for the suspects.