The gruesome killing of Chief Philip Shekwo, the Nasarawa State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, has elicited a torrent of condemnations.
It was gathered that the gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons invaded the chairman’s residence around 11 p.m. on Saturday, November 21.
They opened fire at the gate, forcing a policeman guarding the house to take cover and then went straight into Shekwolo’s bedroom and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
The spokesman of the Nasarawa State Police Command, ASP Ramhan Nansel, who confirmed the abduction to newsmen, said policemen were immediately deployed to the scene, adding that the police engaged the gunmen in a shoot-out but they managed to escape with the victim.
His body was found dumped few meters away from his private residence at Anguwar Bukan -Sidi in Lafia metropolis on Sunday morning.
However, President Muhammadu Buhari, Sunday, condemned brutal killing, saying the nation’s security system must do more to end the incidents of violence in the country.
This is as Yekini Nabena, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, in a statement, described it as “a dark day for the APC family.”
Buhari welcomed the decision of the Inspector General of Police to send reinforcement of men and materials to the state.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said the late APC Chairman was shot twice leading to his death.
“Police investigation is expected to determine if this was an assassination or kidnapping-related murder,” he said.
Reacting to the tragic incident, President Buhari, while commiserating with the family of the deceased, said: “I strongly condemn the killing of Philip Shekwo.
“He was kind and jovial. His contribution towards strengthening the party in Nasarawa State will not be forgotten. May his soul Rest in Peace.”
Meanwhile, the APC has condoled with Shekwo’s family, Governor Abdullahi Sule, the State Working Committee, members and supporters.
A statement Nabena, the party’s publicity chief said it was “a dark day for the APC family”.
APC prayed God to give all that grieves the strength to bear the loss and grant Shekwo eternal rest.
The party urged the police and other security agencies to “fish out the sponsors and perpetrators of the evil, heinous and barbaric crime.”
