The Anambra State Government has received with shock the news of the killing of the President General of the Nimo Town Development Union (NTDU), Chief Tony Frank Igboka, in the evening of Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at Oye Market, Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area, shortly after he had a dinner in a nearby restaurant. The killing was likely by assassins.
Governor Willie Obiano was briefed on the violent death by the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr Mustapha Dandaura, shortly after the dastardly act. Governor Obiano consequently announced a N5m reward to any person who can provide useful information on the identity of the killers.
The governor has also directed the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State to personally lead a team to apprehend the killers immediately. He has, in addition, directed the Department of State Security, intelligence officers in the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy as well as the Nigerian Security and Defence Corps to join the Nigeria Police Force in the task to bring the culprits quickly.
Chief Obiano asked the intelligence and security officers to reenact the same level of enthusiasm and competence they exhibited in the arrest two weeks ago of Ikechukwu Udensi, the most wanted murder suspect in Anambra State, immediately he entered the state to collect illegal revenues. “You have to display the same commitment and competence this time in tracing the killers of Chief Igboka, who was also a former chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area”, demanded Chief Obiano.
The governor described the killing as utterly heartless, noting that Chief Tony Frank’s elder brother, Chief Charles Igboka, a former Nigerian diplomat in Europe, died only two weeks ago and was yet to be buried.
“It is a shame that the killing of Chief Igboka should take place in the week leading to Easter when men and women of goodwill throughout the world are reconciling themselves with God and fellow human beings”, Governor Obiano said. “His father, Sir Vincent Igboka, a distinguished papal knight, was a great Christian missionary who devoted his whole being to the spread of the Good News. He worked in such a way that he is being considered for canonization in some quarters”.
Governor Obiano emphasized that no stone will be left unturned in the effort to make Anambra remain the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria. “Anyone who thinks that he can spill the blood of an innocent Anambra person and go scot-free is living in a fool’s paradise”, he declared. “All the persons who have in the last five years attempted to spill blood in the state have been caught up by the long arms of the law. Chief Igboka’s killers cannot be different”.
Signed
C. Don Adinuba
Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment.
