GULU CITY I URN: A 24-year-old shop attendant was shot dead by unknown armed men in an aggravated robbery in Awach Town Council, Gulu District. The deceased has been identified as Wilfred Ojok, a resident of Paromo village, Paduny Parish, who was reportedly attacked at around 9:00 pm while operating his father’s shop.
The Police say the attackers, who were dressed in raincoats, targeted the business premises belonging to Silas Komakech, also known as Lamogi. One of the suspects reportedly entered the shop pretending to be a customer while his accomplice remained outside, holding people who were playing cards at gunpoint.
Police said the suspect inside the shop suddenly rushed towards the counter and grabbed money, prompting Ojok to resist and fight back. During the struggle, the second suspect allegedly opened fire, critically injuring Ojok.
Aswa West Police Spokesperson David Ongom Mudong said Ojok was rushed to Awach Health Centre IV for treatment but succumbed to the gunshot injuries shortly after arrival.
Mudong said joint security teams have launched investigations and are hunting for the assailants.
“The police and other security forces are jointly hunting for assailants who shot dead one Ojok Wilfred, aged 24 years, a businessman based at Paromo Village, Paduny Parish, Awach Town Council in Gulu District,” Ongom said in a statement on Saturday.
He noted that police officers led by the District Police Commander responded to the scene shortly after the shooting, but the suspects had already fled.
“The scene was cordoned off to avoid contamination pending further management the next morning, since it was nighttime,” said Mudong.
Mudong condemned the attack, describing it as a cowardly act against innocent civilians, and appealed to members of the public to cooperate with investigators by sharing any information that could help identify the culprits.
Ojok’s body was taken to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital mortuary in Gulu City pending postmortem as inquiries intensify. A case of murder by shooting and aggravated robbery has since been opened by the police.
The incident comes less than two weeks after another fatal shooting in Gulu City, where a security guard was gunned down by armed men at LT Energy Fuel Station in Keyi B Cell, Kasubi Ward, Bardege-Layibi Division.
The security guard working with Samurai Security Protective Services Uganda Ltd was attacked at about 9:30 pm while on duty before his gun was taken by the assailants, who later fled the scene on a motorcycle.
At least four cases of gun-related attacks have been reported to the police in Gulu City and Gulu City since the month began, involving armed men riding motorcycles.
