How envious coworkers allegedly murd3red their colleague at Eke Awka market in Anambra State
By Emmanuel Toochukwu Igboke
It was a tr@gedy that shook the bustling commercial heart of Awka, the Anambra State capital — a chilling reminder that envy, when left unchecked, can drive ordinary people to commit unthinkable acts. The murd3r of a young poultry seller at the famous Eke Awka Market has left traders, residents, and community leaders in deep shock, as details continue to unfold about how jealousy and resentment among coworkers allegedly led to his untimely de@th.
The deceased, whose name has been withheld by the police for investigation purposes, was a hardworking and honest young man who worked under a local poultry dealer in the market. Described by many as “truthful to a fault” and deeply religious, he had earned the trust of his employer — a virtue that reportedly infuriated his colleagues, who saw him as a threat to their corrupt dealings.
Eke Awka Market is one of the busiest trading centres in Anambra State, drawing hundreds of traders daily from across the South-East. Behind its bustling facade, however, lie tales of exploitation, petty rivalries, and unchecked greed. According to eyewitnesses and co-traders, the deceased had been working in one of the market’s poultry sections, responsible for selling chickens, eggs, and related produce on behalf of his employer.
For months, there had been murmurs of irregularities — missing stock, falsified sales reports, and unexplained losses. The employer, a known businessman in the market, had struggled to trace the source of these inconsistencies until his honest employee began discreetly reporting the conduct of certain workers. According to traders familiar with the incident, the deceased often cautioned his coworkers to stop shortchanging their boss, warning that the truth would eventually come out.
“Everyone in that line knew he was very straightforward,” said a fellow trader. “He would always remind others to submit sales accurately. Many of them didn’t like that. They thought he was trying to expose them.”
The breaking point reportedly came when items worth ₦130,000 went missing from the employer’s shop. It was the latest in a series of thefts that had been eating into the business’s profit margin. According to reports, the employer launched an internal probe and soon discovered the missing items hidden at a nearby stall — a discovery that confirmed suspicions of staff theft.
The deceased had earlier told his boss that some workers were involved in shady dealings and had been pocketing proceeds. When his revelations turned out to be true, the employer confronted the culprits and demanded full repayment. Furious and embarrassed, the accused workers allegedly turned their anger toward the one person they believed was responsible for exposing them — their colleague.
“Since that day, they started threatening him,” another trader revealed. “They warned him not to come near the shop again. They felt he had destroyed their means of survival. But the boy was innocent. He only told the truth.”
According to accounts shared by his friends, the tragic event occurred on a Saturday evening. Earlier that day, the young man had gone to the market as usual, despite warnings from some traders who had heard about the threats. He reportedly visited his boss to greet him and ask for a candle, saying he intended to use it for prayer that night. It was a seemingly ordinary request — one that would, heartbreakingly, mark his final interaction in the marketplace he called home.
Later that evening, as dusk settled over Awka, the workers who had been at odds with him allegedly followed him to his residence. It is still unclear whether they trailed him from the market or waited for him at a nearby junction, but by the time neighbours heard commotion outside his room, it was already too late.
He was found lying in a pool of blood, having been shot dead. The k!llers fled the scene immediately, leaving behind a community in mourning and disbelief.
What makes the story even more tragic is the motive. Investigators believe the murder was not a robbery or cult-related attack but a calculated act of revenge fueled by jealousy and wounded pride. His honesty had earned him special favour from his employer, who reportedly gifted him an Android phone as a token of appreciation — a gesture that, according to police sources, further intensified resentment among his peers.
“They saw how the boss trusted him. They thought he was trying to make them lose their jobs. That envy consumed them,” said a security source familiar with the case.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that investigations are ongoing. While no official arrests have yet been announced, security operatives have launched a manhunt for the suspects, who are said to have gone into hiding shortly after the incident. According to a senior officer at the ‘B’ Division Police Station in Awka, the authorities are piecing together evidence, including eyewitness statements and surveillance footage from nearby shops.
“We are treating this case as a premeditated murder,” the officer said. “From all indications, the victim was targeted. We are following credible leads, and we assure the public that justice will be served.”
Community leaders have also expressed outrage, calling on the police to ensure that those behind the killing are brought to book. “This is a moral tragedy,” said Chief Ezeonwuka, a prominent trader and market leader. “When a person is punished for being honest, it shows how much moral decay we have allowed in our society.”
For the victim’s employer, the tragedy is deeply personal. He reportedly broke down in tears when informed of the killing, lamenting that he had lost not just an employee but “a loyal son.” Sources close to him said he had been trying to mediate peace among his workers before the situation spiraled into violence.
“He often said the boy was his most trustworthy hand,” one associate recounted. “He even told him he would sponsor his further education. It’s heartbreaking that his reward for honesty became death.”
Following the incident, business at the Eke Awka poultry section was temporarily halted as traders gathered to mourn their colleague. Some lit candles in front of his stall, while others observed a brief prayer session in his honour. The atmosphere was somber; many expressed fear that such jealousy could erupt again if not properly addressed.
Sociologists and public commentators in Anambra have drawn attention to a broader pattern underlying the tragedy — the culture of silence in workplaces where corruption thrives. In many small-scale businesses, employees who report wrongdoing are often branded as “snitches” or “sellouts,” leading to isolation, ridicule, or even violence.
A criminologist noted that the case reflects a deep-seated moral crisis. “When integrity becomes a threat, society is in trouble,” she said. “We need to build systems where honesty is protected and rewarded, not punished. Employers must also create mechanisms to ensure workers feel safe when reporting misconduct.”
Local NGOs have condemned the k!lling, urging authorities to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted. “We cannot continue normalizing violence against truth-tellers,. “The courage to stand for honesty should be celebrated, not silenced by bullets.”
Meanwhile, the victim’s family has been left in unimaginable grief. His parents, who live in a nearby community, said their son was the breadwinner and had been saving money to start his own poultry business. His mother, sobbing uncontrollably during an interview, said she had spoken to him only hours before his death. “He told me he was going to pray that night,” she wept. “I didn’t know he was saying goodbye.”
Even as the market gradually returns to normal, traders say the spirit of the young man lingers — a haunting reminder of the thin line between hard work and hatred. His empty stall now serves as a silent witness to the tragedy, adorned with flowers and handwritten tributes. Every evening, as the market closes, some traders pause to pray quietly for his soul.
“His death must not be in vain,” said another trader, adjusting her apron. “We want justice. Let everyone who played a role in this face the law.”
The murder at Eke Awka Market is not just a criminal case; it is a moral lesson for a society where honesty often comes at a deadly price. It underscores the urgent need for justice, reform, and protection for those who choose to do the right thing even when it is unpopular.
As police continue their investigation, the echoes of the tragedy still resonate across Awka — in the quiet tears of the bereaved, the whispers among traders, and the haunting question that refuses to fade:
Why must truth-tellers die in a world that needs them the most?
Exerpt From UcheNworah Facebook
How envious workers m*rdered their colleague at Eke Awka market in Anambra state
By Emmanuel Toochukwu Igboke
For those asking what happened to the guy, he was tragically shot d*ad. Here’s what was narrated about him:
He worked at Eke Awka market in Awka Anambra State, selling poultry and other items. There were some issues with the workers stealing from their employer, and the guy, being honest, would often remind them to hand over the sales. This earned him favour with the employer, who even gifted him an Android phone.
One day, the employer discovered that some items worth N130,000 were missing and suspected the workers. The guy had previously mentioned that the workers might be involved in theft, and indeed, the missing items were found at a neighbouring shop. The employer demanded that the workers pay for the stolen goods or face consequences.
Unbeknownst to us, the workers had been threatening the guy, warning him to stay away from the shop. On that fateful Saturday, the guy visited the market and asked their employer for a candle, saying he wanted to pray that night. Later that evening, the workers followed him home and attacked him.
They’re still on the run, but justice will be served. RIP dear.
This story was narrated by his friends.”
DISCLAIMER:
This report does not represent the views or opinions of GEENCEE. The details contained herein are based solely on information publicly shared by Uche Nworah via his verified Facebook page. GEENCEE has no independent knowledge or verification of the incident and does not make any claims regarding the accuracy or completeness of the accounts presented.