A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom state, Mr Otu Inyang, has been murdered.
The politician was gunned down by unknown gunmen in Ikot Udoma village in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Mr Inyang was killed shortly after the Crossover service heralding the new year.
The deceased was trailed and shot dead a few minutes into the new year while on his way home after attending the Crossover service at Qua Iboe Church, Ikot Udoma village, Eket.
The victim was shot severally on his head some few metres to his residence.
President of Ekid Peoples Union and a former governorship candidate on the platform of defunct All Nigeria People Party (ANPP), Dr Samuel Udonsek, described the deceased as a formidable politician and community leader.
“I received this news with great discomfort and sadness. I must say that this model of conflict resolution is uncommon in Ekid land,” he said.
“I knew Elder Otu Inyang very well, back in our days of ANPP, 2000 – 2003 when he helped us build a formidable opposition party.
“Late Prof Etuk Nssien Etuk, of blessed memory, regarded him rightly then, as a formidable pillar of his strong and resilient political empire and structure,” he said.
The spokesperson of the Akwa Ibom police command, SP Odiko Macdon, has vowed to investigate and bring the culprits to book.
“Yes, it is true that the man was shot dead on his way back home after the Crossover service in his church.
“The son reported to the police the following morning that the father and his mother were returning from church on 31st December and was attacked by two heavy gunmen who shot the father in the head before he died,” the police spox said.
