Tension Rises In Ebonyi As Suspected Gunmen Kill Elderly Man After Attending APGA Endorsement | Sahara Reporters
His lifeless body was discovered the following day along a bush path in the community, according to the Ebonyi State Police Command.
Political tension is mounting in Ebonyi State after an elderly man, Onwe Ubochi, was found dead shortly after allegedly participating in a prayer and endorsement programme for All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ubochi, a resident of Osege Village in Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, reportedly left his home on August 17, 2026, but failed to return.
His lifeless body was discovered the following day along a bush path in the community, according to the Ebonyi State Police Command.
The incident has sparked concern among opposition supporters, with APGA members alleging that Ubochi may have been targeted because of his participation in the party’s political activities.
However, the police have not confirmed that the killing was politically motivated or established any link between the deceased’s death and the APGA endorsement programme.
The APGA candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Tochukwu Ogalagu, alleged that Ubochi was attacked and abducted while returning home from the event before being killed.
Ogalagu said the elderly man was hale and hearty during the programme and was captured on camera participating in the activities.
He further alleged that Ubochi’s body was dumped in a stream and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The candidate also alleged that the killing could be connected to purported threats against residents supporting opposition candidates in the area.
Similarly, the APGA candidate for Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Chief Chikaodiri Ojemba, condemned what he described as the “gruesome elimination” of an elderly man by unidentified assailants.
Ojemba said Ubochi’s death occurred only hours after he led prayers and participated in the endorsement of the APGA candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency.
“We have it on good authority that some of our supporters are facing severe verbal and physical threats in that environment, but we assure them of unrelenting security through the relevant security agencies,” Ojemba said.
“We won’t resort to violence or reprisal measures as law-abiding citizens,” he said.
Ojemba called on security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible for the killing in order to prevent further deterioration of security in the area.
The Human Rights Defenders (HURIDE), Ebonyi State, has also called for an immediate investigation into Ubochi’s death.
HURIDE Chairman, Sampson Oko Nweke, said the killing was particularly disturbing in view of allegations of threats against residents openly supporting opposition parties.
“If these allegations are established to be true, then the reported killing of Elder Ubochi represents a grave attack not only on an individual but on democracy, freedom of political association and the fundamental right of citizens to support candidates of their choice,” Nweke said.
He urged security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible, regardless of their political affiliation or status.
The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the discovery of Ubochi’s body but said it had not established the motive for his death.
In a statement dated August 19 and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the command said Ubochi left his residence on August 17 but failed to return.
The police said they received information on August 18 that his lifeless body had been discovered along a bush path within the community.
“Upon receiving the report, police operatives visited the scene, and evacuated the body to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where he was confirmed dead,” the statement said.
The command said investigation had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the death and identify those responsible