Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State yesterday said his administration was working closely with security agencies to unravel the circumstances surrounding the kidnap and death of the Obi of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, Akaeze Edward Ofolue III.
Dr. Okowa gave the assurance at the palace of the late King where the Obi-in-Council and members of the Royal family received him and his entourage during a condolence visit to the bereaved kingdom.
The decomposing corpse of Obi Ofolue who was kidnapped by gunmen along Igbodo-Obior road on January 5 was discovered last Thursday at about 9pm rested on a palm tree at a bush in Umunede.
While paying his condolence, Okowa described the late 52-year old monarch as a promising traditional ruler and an embodiment of peace, adding however that the circumstances of his death is not the one anybody will wish for.
“What we have witnessed, the circumstances under which this has happened is something nobody prays for. He was one of the promising traditional rulers we had. He was an embodiment of peace. As you mourn, ensure to keep the peace in the community. It is a great a loss which occurred under very unusual circumstances,” Okowa said.
He added: Security agencies are doing their best to unravel the circumstances of this incident. And as a government, we will continue to partner with the police and other security organizations to bring the culprits to book.”
Secretary to the Obi-in-Council, Barr. Joseph Obaze while welcoming the governor, appreciate the efforts which the government put in to ensure that the Obi was rescued alive, adding that what has happened was unfortunate.
According to him, the kidnap and subsequent killing of the monarch were terrible incidents “that have never happened in the history of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom.”
Obaze appealed to the governor to direct the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the unfortunate incidents for all those “connected to it to be brought to book.”
SUN NEWS
