A 32-year-old man, James Yarakpor, was brutally murdered in what appears to be a targeted assassination in Urhuwhorun, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident occurred on March 9, 2025, around 7:00 PM at Okaka Layout, Old Egini Road, Urhuwhorun.
According to witnesses, the deceased had previously attended a marriage introduction ceremony with his fiancé, Jacob Christopher, in Urhurode. After the event, Christopher gave Yarakpor a ride back to his home on Okaka Layout.
Upon their arrival, four unidentified gunmen approached the area. As Yarakpor and others attempted to flee, the assailants pursued him and shot him at close range in the mouth, leaving him dead in a pool of blood.
Following a distress call from Engr. John Oghenevwegba Uviejotobo, President General of Urhumhoro Community, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ovwian Aladja Division mobilized detectives to the scene.
Upon arrival, Yarakpor’s lifeless body was found with a gunshot wound to the mouth. An expended 7.62x39mm AK-47 cartridge was recovered at the scene.
While the motive behind the killing remains unclear, investigators suspect it to be an assassination rather than a random attack. Efforts are ongoing to track down the assailants.
The body has been moved to Noble Mortuary in Ovwian for autopsy.
Source: Zagazola Makama
