Aide killed, as Orji's son escapes assassination

First son of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Chinedum, on Saturday escaped assassination when a gunman reportedly shot at his car, as he drove out of the venue of a reception organised by Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in honour of his father in Umuahia.

But his Personal Assistant, identified as John Ndubuka, was not so lucky, as the bullet aimed at Chinedum pierced John's chest through his back.

He was pronounced dead by doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, where he was rushed to after the shooting.

It wss gathered that Abia State Police Commissioner, Adamu Ibrahim, has ordered detectives of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) to fish out the culprit and collaborators.

Sources said shortly after the reception at the former Umuahia Main Market was concluded at about 4.30 p.m., the Governor and his entourage left for the home of state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, where guests were entertained.

As the Governor's son and his aides were also leaving the venue at about 5.15 p.m., a single shot rang out at the direction of his car.

Chinedum had already entered the car, but his aide was just walking down beside it.

Sources said the bullet hit Ndubuka on the back shoulder, pierced through his right rib and emerged through the chest, leaving him gasping in a pool of blood.

The Governor's son (popularly called Ikuku) and others, who saw Ndubuka clutching his chest and blood dripping down his white shirt, rushed him to the FMC, where he was pronounced dead and moved to the mortuary.

Briefing newsmen at the Government House on Sunday, Information and Strategy Commissioner, Eze Chikamnayo, said the incident 'has left everyone, including the First Family and the people of the state, very sad'.

He said the reception had ended successfully with the Governor and his guests already out of the venue, when the incident occurred.

Chikamnayo insisted that though the police are on the matter to unravel the mystery behind the killing of Ndubuka, whose seven month old pregnant wife had just concluded her NYSC programme last Thursday, foul play could not be ruled out.

He believes that the shot was meant for the Governor's son, as it came from the back and directed towards the car door, which had been opened to enable him enter and move out of the place.

'But unfortunately the assassin's bullet hit his PA, who had shut the door and was walking beside it.'

Chikamnayo said with 2015 general elections around the corner, nothing could be given to chance, adding that government was not taking the incident lightly.

However, he urged Abia residents to remain calm and go about their businesses without fear, saying security agencies were still working round the clock to ensure that lives and property were safe in the area.

Abia State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna, said three policemen have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Ogbonnaya told the News Agency of Nigeria that the suspects were arrested between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, adding that the command had begun full investigation into the incident.