Gunmen Killl Ohaneze Chieftain’s Father, INEC Staff In Ebonyi

Gunmen have killed a staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Emmanuel Igwe and Ajah Okafor, father of Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth wing chieftain, Damian Okafor.

The incident happened in the Ishiagu community in Ivo Local government area of Ebonyi State on Sunday evening, June 18, 2023.

Igwe’s wife was also kidnapped by the gunmen who intercepted their car along the Ishiagu-Mpu road.

Damian, who confirmed the killing of his father to the newsmen on Monday, June 19, alleged that the attackers were herdsmen who have been terrorising the area.

After attacking the couple, he said the gunmen took the woman into the bush.

“In their bid to escape, they ran into my father who was in his farm tending to his crops. They proceeded to kill my father so that he will not raise the alarm and expose their presence in the area,” he said.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Ebonyi State also confirmed the death and kidnap of the INEC staff and wife.

“One of our colleagues, an Assistant Electoral Officer in Afikpo North LGA, Emmanuel Igwe, was shot to death by gunmen in Ivo on his way back from Abia State and his wife was kidnapped,” she said.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ebonyi Police Command, Onome Onvwakpoyeya, said gunmen suspected to be herdsmen shot the man on the head through the windshield of his car.

She said the gunmen used a knife to slice the throat of the second victim in his farm.