The volatile Ekpan community in Uvwie local government area of Delta state has once again been engulfed in cuddling bloodshed as Special Assistant on Youth Development to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Mr Lawrence Ngozi Akpomiemie, was last night shot dead.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has condemned in strong terms the killing.
Governor Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, on Saturday in Asaba said the Governor was deeply saddened by the untimely death of his aide, who was killed by yet to be identified gunmen in Uvwie local government area of the state.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the death of Mr Lawrence Ngozi Ijei, who was my aide until his untimely demise. I condole with his wife and family and urge security agencies to investigate the unfortunate incidence with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“We have alerted the security agencies of some disturbing security situation in parts of the state and wonder what they are doing because these information have been available to them”.
“We urge Deltans to remain peaceful and maintain the existing peace we have built in the last three and half years,” he added.
Governor Okowa called on the security agencies to dig deep into the unfortunate incident with a view to apprehending those behind the action.
Akpomiemie, popularly known as Ngozi was reportedly shot dead by gunmen in the volatile Ekpan community.
Before then he had had a very busy day attending various political meetings. According to TheNewsGuru.com, TNG, source: “we were together in a meeting in Honourable Evelyn’s place, later in Honourable Solomon Ighrakpata’s place and lastly in Honourable Efe Ofobruku’s place.”
As if the late Ngozi had an inkling of danger ahead “he objected to the meeting at Efe’s place, he wasn’t comfortable going to Efe’s place but, every other person that was to be in the meeting agreed we should go to Efe’s place and so he couldn’t help it. He joined us. While there, he made mention to us he was a security target. And after the meeting, we all left for our different destinations.
“Meanwhile, while in the meeting, he had an uproar with one of us there which was immediately settled. He had an issue with one other person that was with us in that meeting inside Ekpan town last night. Though l was not there but i was told. I am still trying to get full details.”
It was learnt that the deceased was ambushed by arms wielding youths while returning from an outing with a lady suspected to be his girlfriend.
It will be recalled that before his appointment by Okowa in 2016, Ngozi was allegedly standing trial for sundry crimes, including murder, but was controversially released from prison before being appointed SA on Community and Youth Affairs to the governor.
His murder last night was the latest in a bloody chapter which has seen a spike in insecurity in Ekpan and Jakpa Road areas of Uvwie LGA.
It would be recalled that at least six persons were killed in the area in the last couple of weeks in the latest upsurge of violence before the botched February 16 general elections.
Additional reports by TNG TheNewsGuru