APC chieftain assassinated in Akwa Ibom

Sir Sylvester. J Ntefre, a former chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State's OrukAnam local government area, was shot dead by suspected kidnappers at his residence in Ekparakwa community around 8 a.m. today, May 15.

According to The Nation, the assailants arrived in a black SUV vehicle and fired sporadically into the air to scare away neighbours before whisking him away into a nearby bush, where he was reportedly killed.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunshots attracted youths who raised the alarm and began chasing the hoodlums.

According to one eyewitness,

By the time the youths began to pursue the kidnappers, they had already abducted the party chief and shot him several times, while some members of the gang who were waiting in a standby black Jeep abandoned it, ran out of the car, and fled through the bush.

The residents of the neighbourhood came out and rolled the Jeep away from the scene. I'm not sure where they took it, but I'm sure they fled, leaving the car behind.

This incident contains some political undertones. The deceased was known for standing firm against some House of Assembly candidates in the area.

This one has taken everyone by surprise. Though kidnapping has been on the rise in this community over the last eight months, this one is politically motivated.

Every person kidnapped in this Community pays a ransom and is released, but this one was murdered.

 The state police command has not yet responded to this development.