Unknown gunmen shot dead an All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain in Ikot Udoma village in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, shortly after the Crossover service that ushered the New Year.
It was gathered that the assailants trailed and shot Mr Otu Inyang 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.
This was as gunmen suspected to be armed robbers also killed an independent broadcaster with Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation, (AKBC) Uyo, Mr Augustine Ekanem.
It was gathered that Ekanem alias “Talk and laugh” and Country Man was shot dead at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 30, at a filling station and his car was snatched from him at gun point.
It was learnt that Otu Inyang said the closing prayers in the Church to end the Crossover service, and was a few metres to his residence when he was waylaid and shot severally on his head.
Some unsuspecting worshippers returning home after the service said they did not know that the sound they had were that of gunshots as many sounds from fireworks thrown by excited youths to herald the New Year rented the air.
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Unconfirmed sources alleged that the deceased was involved in a land dispute, however, the 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.
He said, “I received this news with great discomfort and sadness. I must say that this model of conflict resolution is uncommon in Ekid land.
“I knew Elder Otu Inyang very well, back in our days of ANPP, 2000–2003 when he helped us to build a formidable opposition party.
“The 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.
“When we attended his thanksgiving service after his retirement, I got to know, first hand, how devoted he was to his native Ikot Udoma and the Qua Iboe Church.’’
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer in the state command, SP Odiko MacDon, described the occurrence as unfortunate and vowed to investigate and bring the culprits to book.
MacDon said the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, had ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police to carry out a discreet investigation on the matter.
“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 Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book,” he stated.
