Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has sacked two of his aides for alleged involvement in a murder during the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillorship primaries in the state.
The primaries held on Friday, February 21.
Besides sacking the aides, the governor also directed the police command in the state to arrest them for possible prosecution.
The directive was contained in a statement signed and issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, in Abakaliki on Sunday.
He identified the sacked aides as Uche Ibiam, the Coordinator of Ubeyi Development Centre of Afikpo North Local Government Area and Ibiam Ogbonnaya, a Technical Assistant (TA) on security.
READ ALSO: Court orders PDP to conduct fresh primary for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District
The statement read in part: “The governor further directs security agencies to carry out investigations and prosecute all those found guilty in the crime in accordance with extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The governor assures Ebonyi people of their safety and his readiness to sustain the peace and tranquility reigning in the state.”
Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Loveth Odah, who confirmed the incident, said the matter had been reported to the command and that investigation has commenced.
“We can confirm the death of Mr. Enyinnaya Ibiam during the primaries at Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state and the recovery of a vehicle belonging to the coordinator of Ubeyi Development Centre, abandoned at the area.
“Information reaching us indicates that the coordinator allegedly hired and stormed the scene of the primaries with thugs who shot sporadically, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to several people.
“When the vehicle was searched, we recovered a bag containing a locally made pistol and six live ammunition,” she said.
Additional report from NAN