Jonathan’s Son-in-law Shot in Calabar

•  Police: Investigation ongoing

Abimbola Akosile in Lagos and Bassey Inyang in Calabar

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s son-in-law, Prince Goodwill Edward, was shot by unknown gunmen weekend in his State Housing Estate residence in Calabar.

THISDAY gathered that Edward, who is the Special Adviser on Youths Affairs to the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade was shot above the left ear as he was about entering his compound in company of a friend after a night outing.

However, the State Police Command, through the Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, late saturday night, confirmed the attack on Edward and revealed that investigation was ongoing in the matter. He was also said to be okay and in stable health condition.

Speaking with the State Security Adviser, Mr. Jude Ngaji last night, THISDAY also learnt that Edward was shot by an unknown attacker with a locally-made gun, and the pellet pierced his left ear just above the lobe. He was said to have received treatment at an undisclosed medical facility in Calabar, with the pellet extracted,

Ngaji, who confirmed the attack on Edward, said “A friend who was with him spoke to me about it. He said as he was just entering the gate, they tried to tell him to bring the glass down or so. In the course of trying to have access to him, they shot him with a locally-made gun and the pellet pierced a little above his left ear. The pellet has been extracted; he wasn’t event admitted. He was the same guy that called his friend back, the one they went out together. He is very okay and stable”.

Ngaji who said the reason for the attack was as yet unknown, however said investigation was ongoing to ascertain “if the incident was carried out by cheap robbers or if the assailant was actually after him”.

“I called the Police Commissioner, who said he also heard, but that the matter was yet to be brought to his notice. I don’t understand why there is cover-up. His (Edward’s) house is less than three kilometres from the police station.”

“What I am telling you is the truth. He is the former president’s son-in-law and just like any other person. We have general security and we will be at our best to prevent such incidents. He (Edwards) had security men at home and going out at night I would have expected him to go with them, which he didn’t. But I can tell you with certainty that he is very okay and that Cross River State is safe”, the security adviser added.

Earlier yesterday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, who reacted to the incident, said no official report about the shooting of Edward has been made to the police.

“They attempted him. This was the third or fourth time that this thing is happening. Do you know that as at now that I’m talking to you there is no official report about it? We are not going to wait until the matter is reported. We are the police, we know our responsibility. Even if they have a reason for not reporting, we are not going to sit down until the matter is reported, we have the responsibility, and will investigate, and by the grace of God we will go after those responsible.

“How can I know why they have not come to report? I am a new person in the command. I did not even know that this had happened before. It is just coming to me now that this is the third or fourth time that they have attempted him. If we stumble on anything I will let you know,” Inuwa said.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Irene Ugbo, in another follow-up telephone chat with THISDAY, confirmed that the matter has been reported formally to the Police and investigation was ongoing concerning the incident.

Ugbo also informed THISDAY that Edward was unconscious and still receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Calabar.

Edward, who is from Abi Local Government Area of the state, married Jonathan’s daughter in what was variously described as a very lavish and publicised wedding in 2014.