Council Chairman Escapes Assassination by Security Detail

By Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, Mrs Nkechi Enumah-Chukwurah, has missed death by the whiskers as one of her security aides allegedly opened fire on her at close range.

It was learnt that council chairman, who attended a thanksgiving service last Sunday in Asaba, the state capital, had just come out of the church and had hardly settled back in her car when the policeman in the front seat allegedly turned suddenly and shot at her point-blank.

The incident occurred barely four days after the Delta State House of Assembly recalled her from a three-month suspension it slammed on her.

The lawmakers had announced her suspension, saying the period was to enable the House investigate certain allegations levelled against her by some councillors in the local government.

However, on Tuesday, 7 June, 2016, the state legislature lifted the suspension order through a statement by Mr Henry Ebiereri, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Monday Igbuya, saying, “the House recalled the suspended chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah”.

Reacting on Friday to the reported shooting incident involving the Ndokwa East council chairman, the Delta State Police Command spokeswoman, Mrs Celestina Kalu (a DSP), confirmed the story but quickly added that “it was an accidental discharge.”

Kalu however noted that the policeman involved, identified simply as David, had been arrested.

Nevertheless, speaking from her hospital bed in Asaba on Friday, the council chairman revealed that 22 pellets were recovered from the vehicle following the near-fatal shooting.

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