Gunmen kill Okowa’s Special Assistant on Youth Development

• Governor Condemns Killing
Special Assistant on Youth Development to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Mr. Lawrence Ngozi Ijei, was brutally killed on Friday night in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Council of Delta State.

Ijei, a youth leader and staunch Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporter in the council, was shot severally in the chest and head by unknown assailants. His killers were said to have waited to ensure he was dead before leaving.

The Guardian learnt the governor’s aide, who is popularly known as Ngozi, was shot in the company of his girlfriend on their way home after a night outing. However, it is still not known if the deceased’s girlfriend was also killed.

Meanwhile, governor Ifeanyi Okowa has condemned, in strong terms, the killing of his aide, Lawrence Ngozi Ijei by suspected assailants.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, yesterday, in Asaba, said he was deeply saddened by Ijei’s untimely death. 

He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the death of Mr Lawrence Ngozi Ijei, who was my aide until his untimely demise. I condole with his wife and family and urge security agencies to investigate the unfortunate incidence, with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice. 

“We alerted security agencies of some disturbing situation in parts of the state and wonder what they are doing, because this information has been available to them.”
“We urge Deltans to remain peaceful and maintain the existing peace we have built in the last three and half years.”

The Police Election Monitoring situation room in Delta State confirmed the killing.

According to ASP Chuks Orisewezie, “the police are investigating the incident and would issue detailed report of how Ijei was killed. We’re still trying to verify the matter. I just called the Ekpan Police Division to get more information. As soon as we get full details of what happened, you would be reached.”