Abuja — The police in Bauchi State yesterday say they are investigating the murder of a businessman, Mr Michael Ogboh, who was killed by an unknown assailant on July 4.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Mohammed Barau told newsmen in Bauchi that Ogboh was shot dead by a lone gunman in his shop around 1.45 a.m. on that day. He said the deceased had been repeatedly warned to stop closing his shop late because of the movements of some miscreants who often loitered around the area at odd hours.

Barau said the gunman reportedly did not utter a word or ask for money, adding that he shot Ogboh in the presence of his wife, as they were about to close business for the day.

"We have been warning the deceased to stop closing his shop late and have placed detectives in the area in the daytime because of the rampant car thefts at a nearby shopping complex. It is unfortunate that he did not heed our warnings and this terrible thing happened to him," he said.

Barau said investigations were ongoing, pledging that the police would soon unravel the mystery behind Ogboh's killing. The PPRO said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue of Bauchi Specialist Hospital pending the outcome of the investigations. (NAN)