Picture: How ex-Lawmaker died in Anambra

The former Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Sir Frank Anthony Igboka has been shut dead by unknown gunmen.

Igboka, a Knight of Saint John International and current President General, Nimo Brotherhood Society met his untimely death at Oye market place in his home town, Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area.

He was also a former Anambra State House of Assembly member for Njikoka 2 constituency, former Chairman of Njikoka Local government area, and one time state chairman of Progressives People’s Alliance (PPA).

A source alleged that he was shot 15 times in his car at a close range by a team of bandit which included a woman while driving home after having a dinner at a nearby restaurant, adding that the incident happened immediately the town’s street light and other source of power were turned off by unknown circumstances, making everywhere dark till after the operation.

Another source claimed that “This was a high powered job. Shortly before the bullets started raining on him the street lights that had never gone off, went off and we’re still off by the time I came home around 10:30. No electricity too. The whole place is in pitch darkness, perhaps as dark as the minds of the murderers. I learnt a lady was among the killers. I fear for what becomes of my town after the demise of this warrior. He was the sole reason why bad boys had not overrun the town. I hear that all the Town’s bad boys are in jubilant mood.”

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Haruna Muhammed, said the police patrol team attached to Nimo Division heard sporadic gunshots around Nimo market at about 8pm. and rushed to the scene and discovered that Igboka on driver’s seat of his Chevrolet SUV vehicle laying unconscious in the pool of his blood with his body riddled with bullet wounds.

“Victim was rushed to Beke hospital Nimo where he was confirmed dead by the medical doctor and corpse deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy. Preliminary investigation revealed that victim was shot at close range by four armed men who escaped in a pickup van towards Abacha Eziowelle road. 25 expended ammunition of 7.62 mm ammunition were recovered at the scene.

“The Commissioner of Police CP Mustapha Dandaura has visited the scene and ordered for a full-scale investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident and bring perpetrators to justice. The public are enjoined to avail the command with useful information that could help in arresting perpetrators of this dastardly act through the following police emergency number 07039194332 for prompt response please,” he maintained.

Reacting in a press release, Governor Willie Obiano through the state commissioner for information and public enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba described the death of the statesman as ‘shock news,’ which might likely be caused by assassins.

“Governor Obiano consequently announced a N5m reward to any person who can provide useful information on the identity of the killers. The governor has also directed the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State to personally lead a team to apprehend the killers immediately. He has, in addition, directed the Department of State Security, intelligence officers in the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy as well as the Nigerian Security and Defence Corps to join the Nigeria Police Force in the task to bring the culprits quickly.

“Chief Obiano asked the intelligence and security officers to reenact the same level of enthusiasm and competence they exhibited in the arrest two weeks ago of Ikechukwu Udensi, the most wanted murder suspect in Anambra State, immediately he entered the state to collect illegal revenues. “You have to display the same commitment and competence this time in tracing the killers of Chief Igboka, who was also a former chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area”, demanded Chief Obiano.

“The governor described the killing as utterly heartless, noting that Chief Tony Frank’s elder brother, Chief Charles Igboka, a former Nigerian diplomat in Europe, died only two weeks ago and was yet to be buried. It is a shame that the killing of Chief Igboka should take place in the week leading to Easter when men and women of goodwill throughout the world are reconciling themselves with God and fellow human beings”, Governor Obiano said.

“His father, Sir Vincent Igboka, a distinguished papal knight, was a great Christian missionary who devoted his whole being to the spread of the Good News. He worked in such a way that he is being considered for canonization in some quarters. Anyone who thinks that he can spill the blood of an innocent Anambra person and go scot-free is living in a fool’s paradise. All the persons who have in the last five years attempted to spill blood in the state have been caught up by the long arms of the law. Chief Igboka’s killers cannot be different,” the release maintained.

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