Unknown gunmen suspected to be hired assassins have killed a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State.
According to sources, Inyang who hailed from Ikot Udoma Village in Eket Local Government Area of the state was shot dead while returning home with his wife after a crossover service at Qua Iboe Church in the community.
The late politician was ambushed by his killers who fired several bullets into his head when he was very close to his residence.
A source stated that other worshippers going home after the service did not suspect that the sounds they heard were those of gunshots as there were several other sounds from knockout crackers thrown by excited youths to herald the new year.
Confirming the incident, the President of Ekid Peoples Union and former governorship candidate on the platform of defunct All Nigeria People Party, 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. I knew Elder Otu Inyang very well, back in our days in 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 stated.
The Spokesperson of the state Police Command, Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the incident, said the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, had ordered a Deputy Commissioner of Police in the state to conduct a discreet investigation into the incident and to ensure that the culprits were brought to book.
“The command has received such report and it is unfortunate. The CP has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in the command to conduct a discreet investigation into the incident and ensure that the culprits are brought to book. So, we are on top of the situation and I want to assure you that the culprits will not escape,” he said.
