Akpan asks security agencies to investigate killing of supporter

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The gruesome murder of Chief Bassey Emah, a businessman and politician in Akwa Ibom State by unknown gunmen in Uyo has continued to evoke sympathy and worry in the state.

Emah, who hailed from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state, owner a popular sit-out/restaurant known as House 20, located along Ben Udo Street in Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, the state capital, was shot dead on Sunday evening.

He was also one of the strongest allies and supporters of Senator Bassey Akpan’s governorship aspiration to the State Hill-top Mansion in Uyo in the 2023 general elections.

Sen. Bassey Akpan, a member representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial in a statement issued in Uyo on Wednesday, has tasked the security agencies in the state to unravel those behind his gruesome murder.

Akpan, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, is a frontline gubernatorial aspirant in the state.

The senator, who described the murder as “one killing too many” said that the death of Emah popularly known as “Emma B” must not be glossed over nor swept under the carpet.

“Without leaning on any conspiracy theory, I hereby charge the security agencies to, as a matter of urgency; do all within their powers to unravel the circumstances surrounding the needless murder of Emma B.

“The perpetrators of this heinous crime, no matter their status in the society, must be brought to account and soon too,” he said.

He acknowledged the unquantifiable contributions of the late Emah to his gubernatorial ambition in Nsit Ubium where he held fort.

The senator regretted that his murder will deprive his young family of a sustainable means of livelihood.

He expressed dismay that Emah was the third of his supporters, who had been mindlessly, needlessly, and fatally attacked in recent times. 

According to the Senator, his two other supporters so far attacked are Mr Augustine Ekanem from Ibiono Ibom alias ‘Talk and laugh’, leader of the group, OBA IS THE BEST, who was brutally assassinated in a filling station in Uyo; and Mr Idongesit Ezekiel Idiok popularly known as “Soundcraft” from Essien Udim who luckily escaped death but sustained injuries from gunshots.

He, however, urged his supporters to remain calm and allow the security agencies to do their work. He also urged them to remain resolute and not be intimidated by any circumstance as power belongs to God and He gives it to whoever He pleases.

While praying the good Lord to grant the family of Chief Emah, his friends and allies as well as the campaign organization the fortitude to bear this great loss, he promised to stand by his family through this moment of grief and after.

Meanwhile, efforts to speak with Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Odiko MacDon have not been successful as calls to his GSM lines were going through.

Since the incident occurred, late Chief Emah’s business premises (House 20) has remained under locks and keys while his staff who usually hang around, were seen wearing sad mode but refused comments.