The Anambra state governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo has pledged a sum of ten million (N10 million) as a reward for any valuable information to detect the killer of the member representing the governor’s constituency, Hon. Okechukwu Okoye.
The lawmaker was kidnapped last week while his head was later found on Saturday at Nnobi in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State.
His body was said not to be there and there was belief that the killers removed the body.
Okoye and one other person were kidnapped at Aguata and hisToyota Sienna car abandoned.
Governor Soludo condemned the killing.
It was gathered that the Police later recovered the car and said that they had deployed operatives to rescue the lawmaker and begun a manhunt to track the kidnappers.
While presenting the state’s revised budget to the state lawmakers on Friday, Governor Soludo informed them that their colleague who was representing him in the House of Assembly was still in the kidnapper’s den.
“I regret that one of you, the member representing the good people of Aguata II Constituency in the House of Assembly (my own representative) – Hon. Okechukwu Okoye is still in the custody of the kidnappers.
“The security agencies are working very hard and round the clock to secure his freedom. God is on the throne and Anambra will win. Let me leave it at that,” the governor said at the House of Assembly.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed that Okoye had been killed said “His head was found along Nnobi road on Saturday. There is no suspect in custody yet,”
A press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime stated”Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Anambra state governor, has received with shock and deep sadness the news of the gruesome murder of Hon. Okechukwu Okoye, a member representing Aguata II Constituency at the State House of Assembly and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka. Both Hon Okoye and Cyril Chiegboka were kidnapped on the road by the heartless and barbaric murderers on 15th May.
“Gov Soludo condoles with his kinsmen of Isuofia, noting that it is probably the same criminal gang that attacked him and killed three policemen at Isuofia two years ago that are once again on the prowl. But they can never cow down Isuofia and Anambra State.
“Governor Soludo, still in shock over the barbaric acts against his two kinsmen, vowed that the perpetrators as well as all criminals operating in Anambra must be decisively brought to book
“Governor Soludo has consequently placed a N10 million reward for anyone or group that will avail valuable information that will lead to the immediate arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act. Anambra will soon be hell for these criminals, Gov Soludo assured.
“Governor Soludo wishes to reassure Ndi Anambra of the government’s resolve and renewed determination with the security agencies to go all out against the criminals and ensure they are brought to justice.
“Anambra will win against the forces of darkness”, Gov Soludo assured, urging Ndi Anambra to brace up for the all-out war against the criminals”.