Delta Community Vows to Immortalize, Seek Justice for Slain Sir Paul Ofor

–         Police promise to hunt down killers

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The people of Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State have vowed not to stop until justice was served in the case of the killing of one of its illustrious sons, community leader and businessman, Sir (Chief) Paul Ofor, recently, in his office within the town by yet-be-identified attackers.

The community, which demanded visible action from the state government and representatives of the area at different levels in the local government, state and federal governments, also vowed to immortalize Sir Ofor for his uncommon dedication to the service of Issele-Azagba, his hometown.

In a statement delivered by Mr. Obi Osiagwu, the National Vice-President, Issele-Azagba Development Union (IADU), for the National President of the IADU, Elder Patrick Isichei, the community expressed shock at the killing, saying it was most unusual because the deceased elder, a proper police investigation would easily discover, had no record of violence or criminality. 

The late Sir Paul Ofor, until his murder on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, was also Ex-officio Member/National Adviser of the Issele-Azagba Development Union as well as a staunch member to of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A press event in the community was attended by officers of the IADU, tradional chiefs including Chief John Abugo and Chief Austin Ojei, the oldest man (Diokpa) of the Community Diokpa Patrick Abugo, members of the family of the late Paul Ofor including one of his children, Mr. Robert Kanayo Ofor, and the community youth leader, Mr. Kingsley Nnasiana.

The noted that it had taken much effort to restraint the people, especially the youths of the community from taking to the streets to express their dismay and anger over the murder of one of the brightest lights of Issele-Azagba.

The entire community has become a shadow of its boisterous self because there is mourning and fear, with the Christmas celebration in the town practically ruined following the incident.

The statement read in part: “Issele-Azagba is pained by the gruesome murder of one of our prominent sons and leaders, Elder Paul Ofor, by unknown individual(s) on Tuesday, 10th of December, 2024, in his office at Issele-Azagba, Benin-Asaba Expressway junction.

“The community, since the unprecedented incident, has been thrown Into mourning and fear. As it is now, nobody feels safe. The usual pomp and pageantry that envelope in the community during Christmas and New Year festivities is not there because of the shock created by the incident.

“The Issele-Azagba Development Union (IADU) on behalf of Issele-Azagba people and residents of Issele-Azagba, is compelled to make this clarion call through the Press to the authorities, considering the obvious fact that the town is under threat, including the buccaneering activities of miscreants suspected to be from some of our neighboring communities.

“Could Elder Sir Paul Ofor, who was in his 70s, had been gruesomely murdered as a result of the eminent role, albeit legally, he had always played in the defence of the territorial integrity of his homeland, Issele-Azagba?

“These, among other disturbing questions, are what the community expects the security agencies to unravel through investigations.

“We call on the Delta State Government, the Nigeria Police Force Delta State Command, Department of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies to up the ante in digging into the cause of the gruesome murder and getting the perpetrators of the dastardly act arrested and punished.

“Three weeks since the occurrence of the incident, nothing visible appears to have been done. Residents and visitors to Issele-Azagba are highly worried with the social and economic activities in the town badly hammered.”

They further urged the Aniocha North Local Government Council “and our elected representatives at the various levels to take interest in this matter as, up till the time of this press conference, no visitation has been made by any of these referenced authorities to the town.”

Issele-Azagba is located within the Delta State Capital Territory, and shares boundaries with Okpanam, Ogwashi-Uku, Ubulu Okiti and other communities.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command spokesman, Mr Bright Edafe (a superintendent of police) has said that the police has commenced investigation into the unfortunate incident, adding that the command would unravel the riddle of the murder of the community leader who was in his late 70s, despite misgivings about the seemingly lacklustre attitude of relevant authorities since the incident four weeks ago.