Gov Okowa aide shot dead in Delta by unknown gunmen

A Special Adviser to Delta state Governor, identified simply as Ngozi Ijei was reportedly shot dead in Ekpan, Uvwie local government area of the state.

The killing of Ngozi, who was said to be a key player in the political unrest in the area since the last decade, has led to fear and tension in the area.

Already, it was gathered that youths were mobilizing at the time of this report to attack perceived enemies of the deceased and burn down their properties.

Prior to his appointment by Okowa in 2016, Ngozi was standing trial for sundry crimes, including murder, but was controversially released from prison before being appointed SA on Community and Youth Affairs to the governor.

His murder last night was the latest in a bloody chapter which has seen a spike in insecurity in Ekpan and Jakpa Road areas of Uvwie LGA.

It would be recalled that at least six persons were killed in the area in the last couple of weeks in the latest upsurge of violence before the botched February 16 general elections.

Uvwie is usually a hotbed of crisis since 2003, because of the usual contending political forces and interests of key players in the Urhobo community.

The current Delta South Senatorial candidate of the PDP and incumbent House of Representative member in Uvwie/Sapele/Okpe Federal Constituency, Ms Evelyn Oboro, hails from the area.

Oboro is locked in a supremacy tussle with deposed chairman of the council, Mr. Henry Baro, who is the APC flag-bearer aiming to succeed Oboro in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

The governorship candidate of the APC , Mr. Great Ogboru, has a strong fellowship in the area, and in his 2003 failed contest with then incumbent James Ibori, dozens of houses were burnt in Uvwie by supporters of the PDP and Ogbodu’s then Alliance Democracy.