Delta community laments murder of leader, demands justice

People of Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Council of Delta, yesterday, bemoaned the gruesome murder of their son, a businessman and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Ofor, by assailants.

The community, while addressing a press conference at Issele-Azagba, said Ofor was murdered on Tuesday, in his office at Issele-Azagba, Benin-Asaba Expressway junction.

They called for justice, adding that he was an ex-officio member and National Adviser of the Issele-Azagba Development Union (IADU) and a prominent member of the APC.

They expressed dismay at the seeming lack of action and called on the state government and security agencies to address the matter and bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.

The briefing was attended by officers of IADU, traditional chiefs of the community, the son of late Ofor, Mr Robert Kanayo Ofor, and the community youth leader, Mr Kingsley Nnasiana.

Addressing the conference, the National President of the IADU, Elder Patrick Isichei, represented by his Vice, Mr Obi Osiagwu, said the community expressed shock at the killing of Ofor.

According to Isichei, it is most unusual because the deceased elder had no record of violence or criminality.

“The late Ofor, until his murder on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, was also an ex-officio member and National Adviser of the Issele-Azagba Development Union as well as a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Isichei said it had taken much effort to restrain the people, especially the youths of the community from taking to the streets to express their dismay and anger over the murder of one of the brightest lights of Issele-Azagba.

He said the entire community had become a shadow of its boisterous self because there was mourning and fear, with the Christmas celebration in the town practically ruined following the incident.

“The community, since the unprecedented incident, has been thrown into mourning and fear. As it is now, nobody feels safe. The usual pomp and pageantry in the community during Christmas and New Year festivities is not there because of the shock created by the incident.

“The Issele-Azagba Development Union (IADU), on behalf of Issele-Azagba people and residents, is compelled to make this clarion call through the press to the authorities. We call on the Delta Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies to up the ante in digging into the cause of the gruesome murder and getting the perpetrators of the dastardly act arrested and punished.”

He also called on the local council chairman, her councillors, elected representatives in state and national to come to their aid, adding that nobody had visited the community since the incident.