In a solemn and deeply emotional ceremony held on Thursday in Eziakpu Village, Ikenga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, family, friends, and sympathizers gathered to pay their final respects to Martins Ifesinachi Onyekesi—popularly known as the “Fish Magnate.” The once vibrant and industrious fish processor and seller, famed for promoting his trade across social media, was laid to rest amid waves of grief as mourners watched his casket descend into the earth in the presence of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, who represented Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the service.
Onyekesi’s life was tragically cut short last month when he was abducted by unknown assailants from his residence. The perpetrators later dumped his lifeless body in a nearby town and instructed his grieving family to collect it—a cruel act that sparked community outrage and intensified calls for action against rising insecurity in the region.
The burial itself was marked by its brevity and gravity. Few speeches were made, as the ceremony centered on heartfelt prayers delivered by family members beside the graveside, capturing the raw sorrow felt by those closest to him. Yet despite the simplicity of the service, the emotional weight was unmistakable, as every mourner seemed united in collective lamentation for the beloved fish trader taken too soon.
Beyond personal grief, Onyekesi’s death has invoked wider civic unrest and activism. Human rights advocate Martins Otse, widely known by his moniker “Very Dark Man,” led protests demanding an end to the brutal wave of killings in Anambra State, his presence underscoring the broader concern about growing insecurity in the region.
In response to mounting pressure and public outrage, Anambra State’s government reiterated its commitment to delivering justice. The Information Commissioner, Law Mefor, condemned the killing as “dastardly and heart-wrenching” and vowed that the perpetrators would be pursued unwaveringly. He assured the Onyekesi family—and the wider public—that the state’s strengthened security architecture would not allow such a crime to go unaddressed.
