Chisom Lennard, the Campaign Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ahoada-West Local Government Area of Rivers State, was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen who had kidnapped him earlier. The incident reportedly occurred while Lennard was voting in the governorship and state House of Assembly elections at Ibagwa polling unit 2 ward 10 in Ahoada West LGA. According to reports, the gunmen, who were wearing police uniforms, had attempted to steal election materials, but Lennard had intervened, leading to his abduction in a swift manner. The State APC Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, confirmed the tragic incident to the press, stating, “He was abducted from his polling unit during the voting process and taken away. Nobody knew where they took him to. It was later in the evening of Saturday that his body was discovered. He was APC LGA caretaker chairman and was a PhD student at the Rivers State University.”
Lennard’s lifeless body was discovered on the Ibueahi-Ubeta road in Ahoada-West LGA of Rivers State, with multiple gunshot wounds and surrounded by a pool of his own blood. The State Police Command has launched an investigation into the incident, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. The killing of Lennard has been widely condemned by political leaders across the country, with many calling for an end to political violence and thuggery during elections. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of electoral officials and the need for better security measures to be put in place during elections. The APC has also called on its members to remain calm and law-abiding, urging the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.