Ondo 2024: Gunmen Assassinate APC Returning Officer

Fidelis David in Akure

The Returning Officer for the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ondo State, Mr. Alaba Abey, has been  assassinated by  gunmen.

THISDAY gathered yesterday  that the incident happened on Saturday at his home in Supare Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state.

Mr. Abey, who served as a ward coordinator for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot-Soldiers (LACO-SF), was the returning officer for the party primary at his Ward 10 in the council. 

According to his elder brother, Samuel Abbey, the deceased was assassinated around 9.00 p.m in front of his house shortly after returning home.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya confirmed the development. 

She said: “In brief, the command is aware of the incident at Supare, investigation is ongoing to unravel all that happened”.

Meanwhile, the LACO-SF in a statement released by the State Information Director of the organisation, Mr. Kayode Fasua,  condemned the gruesome murder of its member and called on the police authorities to protect its members from such attacks by unknown assailants.

Also, the Director-General of LACO-FS in Akoko South-west Local Government, David Ajobiewe, described the incident as a shocking tragedy.

“Excel had been a resourceful coordinator for the Aiyedatiwa campaign organisation in Ward 10 of Supare and was never known to be violent and never had any history of local or domestic dispute.

“We urge the police authorities to step up investigations into his gruesome murder and bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.”