Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Ebonyi State Police Command has launched an investigation into the death of an 80-year-old man, Amos Onwe Ubochi, whose body was discovered along a bush path in Osege village, Umuogodo Oshia Ngbo community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
Ubochi reportedly left his home on Monday, August 17, after participating in a prayer and endorsement session for candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
His body was discovered the following day along a farm track within the community and was subsequently taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where he was confirmed dead and deposited in the mortuary.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the command had commenced a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and identify those responsible.
“The Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of one Amos Onwe Ubochi, who left his residence on 17 August 2026 but did not return.”
The command said officers visited the scene after receiving information about the discovery of the body and evacuated it to the hospital for confirmation.
“The command has commenced a comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death and identify those responsible,” the statement added.
Police appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward, assuring residents that all necessary steps would be taken to establish what happened.
The APGA House of Representatives candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Tochukwu Ogalagu, condemned the killing and urged his supporters to remain calm while investigations continue.
Ogalagu said Ubochi had led elders during the prayer and endorsement session on August 17 and alleged that the octogenarian was attacked while returning home.
“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 of Osege village, Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA, Ebonyi State by yet to be identified assailants who waylaid him on his way home, killed him and dragged his body to a stream located far away from the road to his compound where they dumped his body inside the stream,” he said.
The candidate called for calm among APGA supporters and expressed confidence that the perpetrators would be identified and prosecuted.
“I want to assure the APGA supporters that no stone will be left unturned in the investigation of this dastardly murder and the person or persons involved will surely face the law,” Ogalagu said.
The police have not disclosed a motive for the killing or identified any suspects, while investigations into the incident continue.
