Anambra Govt Confirms Death Of SSA To Gov Obiano

Anambra State government has confirmed the death of Azubuike Ekwegbalu, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Security.

The government in a statement released on Sunday, August 9, confirmed that the SSA had died of homicide.

Naija News had reported that the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Security, Azubuike Ekwegbalu, was on Sunday murdered by unknown assailants.

According to NAN, Obiano’s aide was stabbed with a kitchen knife at the early hours of Sunday at his residence at the Commissioners’ Quarters, Awka.

“He was murdered by unknown men last night at the commissioners’ quarters, Awka,” NAN reports.

On his part, the spokesperson for the Police Command in the state, SP Haruna Mohammed, while confirming the incident, said a suspect has been arrested.

Reacting to the incident, the Anambra State Government in a statement signed by Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba, described the report as ‘great sadness’.

The statement reads: “The Anambra State Government announces with great sadness the death early this morning of Mr Azubuike Ekwegbalu, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the State Governor on Security. The Police suspect his death may be a case of homicide.”

“Mr Ekwegbalu was a thorough, quiet, unassuming, energetic and dedicated security official whose forte was intelligence gathering. To carry out his duties faithfully, effectively and efficiently, he kept a low-profile in the public space throughout the years he was in office as the SSA to the Governor on Security. He was not known to most government officials and declined the use of any paraphernalia that could give him out as an intelligence operative.

“He had in the last few months devoted his infectious energy and acute professional intelligence to monitoring cults in various parts of the state following an increase in the menace of young cult members in educational institutions and elsewhere. The results have been outstanding. Mr Ekwegbalu’s tragic death is a serious setback to the fight against the cult menace and crime generally in the state.

“His death was reported accordingly to Governor Willie Obiano, and he has, in turn, contacted the Azubuike family and commiserated with them.

“The Anambra State Government working with the security agencies will do everything in its power to apprehend those responsible for Mr Ekwegbalu’s death, as we have successfully done over the years in similar deaths. The Government assures all Anambra people, once again, that it will stop at nothing to make the state remain the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria.”

In another news, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has noted that the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, does not have a certificate.