Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has directed security agents to spare no resources to unmask the killers of Ezeogo Igboke Ewa, a traditional ruler in one of the communities in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
Umahi gave the order at a briefing in his Office at the New Government House, Centenary City on Tuesday in Abakaliki.
The governor who was visibly saddened by the ugly development described the murder of the Octogenarian as callous and barbaric.
Umahi while briefing journalists about the incident said that the son of the deceased Royal Father called him last night from his hideout to inform him that gunmen had invaded their compound and shot dead the father.
“The son called me from where he was hiding and said that gunmen had killed him and were also looking for his children and I, immediately had to send the police, the army and the men from the Department of State Security (DSS) to take over their compound and rescue them.
” I tried to ask questions about him and he said that his father was supporting a particular candidate of a party which has not gone well with another party and it’s being suspected that it could be the source of his killing.
“So, I have directed the Commissioner of Police to fish out the perpetrators and their sponsors and I hope he has to do that.
The governor alleged that the killing of the traditional ruler might be politically motivated stressing that no life was worth wasting because of political office.
” This is a man that is above 80 years; a man well respected beyond the shores of this state and just for political reasons the man is shot dead; it is so disturbing and it is so important that the security agents should do the needful and arrest further killings in the state.
“I thought that democracy is about making different choices and not clannishly asking those that have opposing views to have their lives terminated; it is so shocking and I’m still in shock of what would have informed anybody to go and kill the man,” Umahi added.
He described the slain ruler who until his death was the chairman of the Ezza North Council of Traditional Rulers as an honest and pleasant man who had contributed to the development and unity of the entire state.
Ezeogo Ewa, a first-class traditional ruler in Ebonyi was assassinated by suspected political thugs at his residence on Monday night.
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Ebonyi Police Command, SP Onome Onovwakpayeya, told our correspondent on Tuesday in Abakaliki that an investigation into the murder has commenced.
