APC demands Nasarawa chairman’s killing probe, Buhari, others mourn

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said the nation’s security agencies must do more to end violence in the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, quoted the President as speaking while mourning the Nasarawa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Philip Shekwo, whose lifeless body was found on Sunday a day after he was kidnapped.

The statement was titled: ‘President Buhari condemns killing of Nasarawa State APC Chairman, Chief Shekwo’.

The presidential aide further quoted Buhari as welcoming the decision of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to send reinforcement to the state.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday, deplored the killing of Chief Philip Shekwo, the Nasarawa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying the nation’s security system must do more to end the incidents of violence in the country.

“The President welcomed the decision of the Inspector-General of Police to send reinforcement of men and materials to the state.

“The late APC Chairman was shot twice leading to his death. Police investigation is expected to determine if this was an assassination or kidnapping-related murder.”

Shehu further quoted the President as commiserating with the family of the deceased.

“His contribution towards strengthening the party in Nasarawa State will not be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace,” the President was further quoted as saying.

The lifeless body of Shekwo, who was abducted on Saturday, was dumped a few metres from his residence in Bukan-Sidi, Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

Investigation by The PUNCH revealed that the kidnappers, who came in large number with sophisticated weapons, stormed the victim’s residence around 10pm on Saturday night and whisked him away.

It was gathered that the state governor, Mr Abdullahi Sule, had instructed the Commissioner of Police not to rest until Shekwo was released unhurt.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr Bola Longe, confirmed the death of Shekwo on Sunday.

Longe, who was at the residence of the deceased, said after intensive search operation, the body of Shekwo was found with bullet wounds.