Friends and residents of the Ndiegoro region of Aba, Abia State, are mourning the death of one Samuel Kalu, a Nigerian man based in Malaysia, who was brutally killed by unknown gunmen.

Local reports show that on Sunday evening, September 27, the deceased, popularly known as 'aka aki ilu- bitter kola,' was shot dead at a barbing saloon on Umuibe Street off Item Lane, Ndiegoro Aba.

On Facebook, Maduka Lawrence, a friend of the deceased, mentioned the moment he saw his body.

"My heart bleeds...as I saw you today lying lifeless in the pool of your own blood. I and other Umuebiri wept uncontrollably but we realised that couldnt bring you back. Rest in peace Aki Ilu....good brother." he wrote.

Since the killing, the city has reportedly been thrown into a panic.

Kalu, who came from Ibinaukwu Igbere, was born and raised in the Ndiegoro region of Aba in Bende Local Government Area of Abia before travelling to Malaysia for greener pasture.

According to him, when he recently returned from his Malaysian base before the Coronavirus outbreak, Kalu remained with his wife, daughter and elderly parents.

Kalu, who allegedly returned from his base in Kuala Lumpur, remained with his elderly parents before the COVID-19 lockout, and intended to return before his assassination.

Command spokesman SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the incident, said the case was being investigated.

"We heard that in a barbing saloon the young man was shot. He received a call and either he guided them where he went or the people went in and shot him. The case is under investigation. He said," We are trying our best to trace the hoodlums.