Chidi Nkwopara
25 June 2011
A chieftain of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Ben Ihekaire, has been murdered in his country home, Amaebu, Ebenato, Orsu local council area of Imo State. Although the stories surrounding the incident were very sketchy at press time, Saturday Vanguard however gathered that Ihekaire returned to his residence from a political meeting before the hoodlums struck.
Investigations also revealed that the deceased, who owns a paint manufacturing industry, Decocoat, situated along the ever busy Orlu-Ihiala federal highway, was irked that APGA loyalists in Orsu was not appreciative of his sacrifices and contributions to the success of the party in the last general elections.
A villager who spoke to Saturday Vanguard on strict grounds of anonymity confirmed that Ihekaire attended a meeting of APGA loyalists where tempers ran very high as the meeting progressed but could not tell if his death was linked to the disagreement at the meeting.
It was further gathered that “the industrialist turned politician was still ruminating over his experience during the meeting when the hoodlums stormed his residence, shot him and quickly ran away”.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Linus Nwaiwu, a deputy superintendent of police, DSP, said he was yet to be briefed about the incident, pleading that our Correspondent should call back.
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