Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state, says the killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, seems to be politically-motivated.
Gulak was murdered in Owerri, Imo capital, on Sunday while on his way to the airport.
The police said members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were behind the murder and some of them have been killed.
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Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, Uzodimma said murder is “not in our character as Ibos”, adding that “Imo people are very hospitable.”
The governor also commended the police for the progress they have made in the investigation into the murder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain.
“I was shocked to my marrows when the sad news of his callous murder was broken to me. I was getting ready to go to church when the sad news came and I could not attend the service again. It was simply one of the most devastating news I have had in my life and I am yet to recover from the shock,” he said.
“Alhaji Ahmed Gulak was in Imo State for a national assignment. He came to Owerri with the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment. Being a humble man, he chose to travel incognito according to his friend who was with him.
“Someone must have trailed him from the hotel to the airport. That is exactly why his gruesome murder appears to be a clear case of political assassination.
“According to reports by the police, he was shot in cold blood and the assailants did not remove a pin from him. It is most benumbing that people chose to waste such innocent blood in such a dastardly and cowardly manner.
“Let me make it very clear that everything will be done by security agencies to find those who murdered Gulak and their sponsors. They will not by the grace of God escape their deserved punishment.
“This is not in our character as Ibos, not in our tradition nor in our culture. We must condemn this callous act.”
The governor added that his administration is “reaching out and will continue to reach out” to families of victims of kidnapping, armed robberies, banditry and “stray bullets”.
