By Chinyere Aruogu
Unknown gunmen on Sunday, January 29 shot and killed Ben Onyechere, media adviser to former governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, and currently a media aide to governor Okezie Ikpeazu, also of Abia State.
Onyechere was said to have been first kidnapped at about 8 p.m. at a super market in Ikenegbu area of Owerri where he had gone with his driver for shopping.
A source said: “Five gunmen trailed Onyechere to a popular super market in Ikenegbu and forced his driver out of his car before they sped off with him to an unknown destination. Attempts were made that night to locate the kidnappers and their captive to no avail. The driver was also said to have been shot in his leg by the gunmen when he tried to resist them.”
The following day, the body of Onyechere was found few streets away from Maris Junction, Ikenegbu Owerri, after he was shot several times, report said.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Imo Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident, though not sure of the identity of the victim.
Onyechere who once served as media aide to former Vice President Alex Ekwueme was former spokesperson of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), formed by former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu. He was a very close ally of Kalu until they parted ways due to alleged political differences.