Ebonyi state governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has ordered for the immediate removal from office, and arrest of the Coordinator, Ubeyi Development Centre, Hon. Uche Ibiam and Mr. Ibiam Ibiam Ogbonnaya Junior, (aka Terror) Technical Assistant (T.A) to Governor on Security, over killing of PDP stalwart on Friday during the local government primaries.
This was contained in a release issued on Sunday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala.
Umahi also called for the prosecution of those involved in the death of 38-year-old victim, Mr Enyinnaya Ibiam whilst assuring Ebonyians of their protection.
The statement reads: “His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, has directed the immediate removal from office and arrest of the Coordinator Ubeyi Development Centre, Hon. Uche Ibiam and Mr. Ibiam Ibiam Ogbonnaya Junior, (aka Terror) Technical Assistant (T.A) to Governor on Security, for allegedly being involved in a murder case.
“The Governor further directed that security agents should carry out full investigation and prosecute all those found guilty in accordance to the law.
“His Excellency further assures Ebonyians of his continuous commitment in protecting life and property in the State.
Recall that The Voice had earlier reported the alleged killing of Mr Enyinnaya Ibiam from Ndeminyi Ubeyi, in Afikpo north local Government area of Ebonyi state by the Coordinator of Ubeyi Development Centre, Ibiam Ekwe.
The incident happened on Friday during the Peoples Democratic Party’s ward councilorship Congress.
It was gathered that the target was the Coordinator’s younger brother, Ibiam Ibiam , popularly known as Terror, who wasn’t in support of his elder brother’s choice of candidate for Unwana ward ‘A’.
Sources revealed that the coordinator allegedly arrived the polling unit venue for the congress with thugs in four Sienna buses fully equipped with arms.
On stepping down from his car he began shooting sporadically and one of the bullets got the deceased on his nose while four other persons including a police officer sustained bullet wounds.
According an eyewitness who doesn’t want his name on print: “we were all waiting for materials for the primary election to arrive from Abakaliki till around 4pm when the coordinator and his boys arrived in about four Sienna buses.
“As they arrived, they were bringing out their guns and the coordinator first released a shot on the ground after which he aimed at his younger brother ‘Terror’ who dodged the bullet and it hit Enyinaya on the nose and he died on the spot.
” The coordinator and his group wanted one Omaiko to go for the councillorship of Unwana ward “A” but the people refused and contributed money and bought form for another person simply known as Mayor and “Terror” instead of supporting the coordinator who is the elder brother opposed him and his colleagues and supported Mayor for the councillorship.
” Seeing that Terror and his group were having upper hands in the mobilization, and was opposing him, the coordinator decided to deal with him which unfortunately ended up killing an innocent man who was making peace among them.
“Others affect by the sporadic gun short from the coordinator and his groups were two policemen, one was shot on the leg and the other, at the mouth. A woman was also shot on the leg, the other on the hand.
“Since then, the coordinator and his cohort have been on the run, but I learnt that police arrested him on his way to Abakaliki”.
When contacted, police public relations officer in Ebonyi State, DSP Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident, stating that police was investigating the allegation and that nobody has been arrested in connection with the death of the young man.
Odah confirmed that it was only one person that was killed and not two as being speculated.
“Yes report came that one Enyinaya Inya, male 38 years old, was allegedly shot by one Uchenna Ibiam Ekwe, the coordinator of the DC who was alleged to had gone to the venue with a vehicle loaded with thugs and the thugs started shooting sporadically which resulted to the death of the man.
” We are investigating the matter it is an allegation though the perpetrator was not arrested but effort is on top gear to arrest him . The allegation said the deceased was shot dead by the coordinator but we are investigating it, it’s an allegation,” she reiterated
