The people of Issele-Azagba in the Aniocha North LGA of Delta State on Wednesday bemoaned the gruesome murder of their son, a businessman and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Paul Ofor, by suspected assailants.

The community, while addressing a press conference at Issele-Azagba, said the late Mr Ofor was murdered on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in his office at Issele-Azagba, Benin-Asaba Expressway junction.

They called for justice, adding that he was an ex-officio member and national adviser of the Issele-Azagba Development Union (IADU) and a prominent member of APC.

They expressed dismay at the seeming lack of action and called on the state government and the security agencies to address the matter and bring the perpetrators of the crime to book.

The briefing was attended by officers of the IADU, traditional chiefs including John Abugo and Austin Ojei, the oldest man (Diokpa) of the community,  Diokpa Patrick Abugo, son of late Ofor, Robert Kanayo Ofor, and the community youth leader, Kingsley Nnasiana.

Addressing the conference, National President, IADU, Patrick Isichei, represented by his deputy, Obi Osiagwu, said the community expressed shock at the killing of elder Ofor.

According to Mr Isichei, it is most unusual because the victim had no record of violence or criminality.

He said, “The late Ofor, until his murder on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, was also an ex-officio member and national adviser of the Issele-Azagba Development Union as well as a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress.”

Mr Isichei said that it took much effort to restrain the people, especially the youth of the community, from taking to the streets to express their dismay and anger over the murder of one of the brightest lights of Issele-Azagba.

He said the entire community had become a shadow of its boisterous self because there was mourning and fear, with the Christmas celebration ruined following the incident.

“The community, since the unprecedented incident, has been thrown into mourning and fear. As it is now, nobody feels safe. The usual pomp and circumstance that envelops the community during Christmas and New Year festivities is not there because of the shock created by the incident.

“The Issele-Azagba Development Union (IADU), on behalf of Issele-Azagba people and residents, is compelled to make this clarion call through the press to the authorities. We call on the Delta government, the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Service, and other security agencies to up the ante in digging into the cause of the gruesome murder and getting the perpetrators of the dastardly act arrested and punished. Three weeks since the occurrence of the incident, nothing visible appears to have been done. Residents and visitors to Issele-Azagba are highly worried about the social and economic activities in the town being badly hampered,” he said.

He also called on the local government council chairman, councillors, and elected representatives in state and national levels to come to their aid, adding that nobody had visited the community since the incident occurred.

(NAN)