Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti has condemned the killing of a Labour Party chieftain, Mr. Zachary Maduka in Uturu, Isuikwuato LGA of the state by suspended hoodlums.

Maduka, a 70-year-old native of Ezieke Akpukpa village, was violently attacked, shot, and beheaded at a drinking joint in Amelechi Akpukpa Community.

It was gathered that the hoodlums numbering about ten, who wielded pump action guns, cutlasses and several other weapons had shot Maduka and dragged him on the floor before he was finally beheaded and his head was taken away by the assailants.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, who confirmed the tragedy in a statement on Thursday said, “Mr. Nmaduka was violently attacked, shot and beheaded by unidentified assailants while he was at a drinking joint in Amelechi Akpukpa community.

“Upon receiving this distressing information, a joint team comprising police and army personnel was swiftly dispatched to the scene.

Speaking on Friday, Otti in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, described the unfortunate murder of Mr Maduka as insane, barbaric, and vicious.

The governor, therefore, called on security agents from different security agencies to swing into action and ensure that whoever was involved in the killing, directly or indirectly is brought to justice and made to pay heavily for their ungodly action.

“Otti expressed sadness that the Late Zakari who distinguished himself during the last general election as the Labour Party campaign manager in Uturu. Zakari was said to have played active roles as a community leader in fighting kidnapping but had his life cut short when he was supposed to reap the fruits of good governance being initiated by the LP government.

He promised that the government would stand by his family and give them all the necessary support required as they deal with this sad loss.”