By joshua Police Begin Probe Into Alleged Elder’s Murder After APGA Endorsement, Ogalagu Demands Justice
By Our Correspondent
The Ebonyi State Police Command has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Elder Amos Onwe Ubochi, who was reportedly found dead a day after participating in a prayer session and endorsement of candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ubochi, a resident of Osege Village, Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was said to have attended the APGA endorsement event on Monday, August 17, 2026.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Joshua Ukandu, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said the command received information on August 18 about the discovery of Ubochi’s lifeless body.
According to the police, Ubochi left his residence on August 17 but failed to return home, prompting concerns from members of his family.
Ukandu said police operatives visited the scene after receiving the report and evacuated the body to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where he was confirmed dead.
“The Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death and identify those responsible,” the police said.
The command did not, however, establish any connection between Ubochi’s death and his participation in the APGA endorsement programme, saying the ongoing investigation would determine the circumstances surrounding his death and whether foul play was involved.
Reacting to the incident, the APGA candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the 2027 election, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, demanded a thorough investigation and justice for the deceased.
Ogalagu, in a statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki, described the incident as “gruesome and dastardly”, urging the police and other relevant security agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the elder’s death.
According to him, Ubochi was hale and hearty when he attended the gathering and participated in the activities associated with the endorsement event.
Ogalagu said the deceased later left the venue for his residence alone but was subsequently reported missing, prompting members of his family to search for him throughout the night.
He alleged that Ubochi was waylaid while returning home and killed, adding that his body was later reportedly discovered in a stream some distance from the road leading to his residence.
“My dear brothers and sisters, it is with a deep sense of personal loss that I hereby condemn the gruesome murder of Elder Onwe Ubochi,” Ogalagu said.
He disclosed that the police had been informed of the incident and that the deceased’s remains had been deposited in a mortuary.
“No stone will be left unturned in the investigation of this dastardly murder, and the person or persons involved will surely face the law,” he said.
Ogalagu further alleged that the incident might be connected with political threats reportedly issued in the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He, however, acknowledged that the responsibility for establishing the motive and circumstances surrounding the death rested with the security agencies.
“The killing of Elder Onwe Ubochi is clearly a fulfilment of the threats issued by expiring political actors in Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency,” he alleged.
The allegation has not been independently verified, while the police have not linked Ubochi’s death to his political activities or his participation in the APGA endorsement event.
A report circulating on social media had also alleged that some political stakeholders in Ohaukwu warned residents against supporting opposition candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The report further claimed that Ubochi was killed after endorsing APGA candidates. However, the claim remains unverified, and none of the individuals mentioned in the report has been established by the police as being connected to the alleged killing.
The development comes amid intensified political activities in Ebonyi State as political parties and their candidates step up consultations, grassroots mobilisation and other preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Ogalagu urged his supporters and residents of the constituency to remain calm and law-abiding, warning against reprisal attacks or any action capable of escalating political tension.
He also called on security agencies to investigate any reported threats against residents on account of their political affiliations or support for opposition candidates.
The APGA candidate condoled with the family of the deceased and urged them to remain strong, assuring them that justice should be pursued through lawful means.
Meanwhile, the police command appealed to members of the public with useful information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
The command said the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding Ubochi’s death and identify those responsible if foul play is confirmed.