*Umahi condemns action, sympathizes with family
By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
A young man of about 35 years has been assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following an alleged misunderstanding between the members of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and an opposition party, Labour Party.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi has extended condolences to the victim’s family, while condemned killing in the name of politics.
The victim whose name was given as Gabriel Ogbonnaya, populary known as BIGY was said to have been assassinated after a fracas between the supporters of both parties escalated beyond control.
It was gathered that the incident happened on the evening of January 24, 2024 at Amenu-Egu Okposi in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State.
According to an eyewitness who wouldn’t want his name on print, the problem started at a popular roundabout known as court area, when members of Labour Party started mobilizing in order to support their senatorial candidate in the forthcoming Ebonyi South Senatorial election, but the Coordinator of the Development Centre, who is a member of the ruling APC, who was not comfortable with the mobilization, questioned why such a thing is ongoing without his permission as the Development Centre coordinator; which brought misunderstanding between both parties.
As a result of that, the opposition party members that afternoon, attacked and injured the DC coordinator with broken bottle, but the coordinator was rescued by the late BIGY who took him to hospital for treatment.
It was learnt that Gabriel Ogbonnaya, aka BIGY was tracked down later in the evening by the gunmen at Amenu-Egu Okposi same day, when he attended wake-keep and whisked him away where he was allegedly killed.
It was also learnt that the late Ogbonnaya hails from Mebiowa Okposi, while the incident occured at Amenu-Egu Okposi both in Ohaozara LGA.
During the APC stakeholders meeting organized by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, he condemned the killing and warned politicians to desist from such dastardly acts in the name of politics.
When contacted for his reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ebonyi State, Mr.Joshua Ukandu said he is yet to get details about the incident and promised to give feedback.
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