Fish Magnet: Five vibrant young Nigerians whose lives were cut short
Slain After Ransom: Anambra Businessman ‘Fish Magnet’ Killed by Kidnappers.
The tragic murder of Fish Magnet, a beloved businessman known for his philanthropy and innovation in the fishery sector, has once again spotlighted the troubling trend of young, brilliant Nigerians dying untimely deaths. Here’s a look at some of the most painful losses in recent times:
1. Ifesinachi “Fish Magnet” Onyekere
A thriving fish entrepreneur and son of a prominent APGA chieftain, Fish Magnet was kidnapped and killed despite ransom payments. His death sent shockwaves through Anambra State, cutting short a promising future in agribusiness and community development.
More about him here.
2. Deborah Yakubu (2004–2022)
A promising college student in Sokoto, Deborah was lynched over alleged blasphemy in a shocking act of mob violence that raised serious concerns about intolerance and justice in Nigeria.
3. Bamise Ayanwole (1999–2022)
A young fashion designer full of dreams, Bamise was abducted and murdered after boarding a BRT bus in Lagos, a case that outraged the nation and exposed vulnerabilities in public transport safety.
4. Pelumi Onifade (2000–2020)
The 20-year-old journalist was covering protests when he was arrested by security forces and later found dead. His death highlighted threats young journalists face in pursuit of truth.
5. Iniubong Umoren (1995–2021)
A job seeker lured, assaulted, and murdered in Akwa Ibom. Her death sparked conversations about women’s safety and exploitation of unemployment.
What this means for Nigeria
The tragic death of Ifesinachi Onyekere, popularly known as Fish Magnet, despite a ransom being paid, is not just a personal loss to his family or the Ezinifite community in Anambra—it is another painful symbol of a deteriorating national reality. For a country already bleeding its youth to emigration, the implications are far-reaching and deeply troubling.
In recent years, the emigration of young Nigerians—popularly dubbed the “Japa” phenomenon—has reached staggering proportions. Driven by a cocktail of poor governance, unemployment, inflation, insecurity, and institutional failure, many young people are fleeing Nigeria, seeking not just greener pastures but basic dignity, safety, and hope. What the death of someone like Fish Magnet highlights is the terrifying reality that even success, influence, or popularity is no longer a shield against the insecurity that now permeates everyday life.
Fish Magnet was more than a businessman—he was a symbol of youthful tenacity. Like many young Nigerians, he built something of value from the ground up, became a pillar of support for others, and tried to thrive within the country’s flawed system. Yet, even he fell victim to a growing pattern of unchecked violence, criminality, and impunity.
To the thousands of youths watching from within and outside the country, the message is clear: if the state cannot protect those who contribute positively to the economy and society, then no one is safe. This fuels a dangerous cycle where trust in the nation erodes further and the most productive demographic—the youth—chooses to opt out of national development either by fleeing abroad or retreating into apathy.
Beyond the loss of lives, Nigeria is suffering a moral and psychological drain. Hope is being extinguished. These recurring tragedies reflect a country hemorrhaging its future—through bullets, neglect, and a dangerous normalisation of violence.
If nothing changes, more dreams will be buried—not just in coffins, but in airports and embassies, as the next generation seeks life elsewhere.
