Prominent stakeholders in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State have strongly condemned the killing of a young man, Uchenna Chinye, from Umukalu Asa, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
Chinye was reportedly murdered by yet-to-be-identified assailants in the early hours of Sunday, June 14, 2026, along the Umuadienwe–Owo Ala Road in Ukwa West. His motorcycle was also allegedly stolen by the attackers.
Reacting to the incident, the Executive Chairman of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Pastor Dike Briggs Nwankwo, condemned the killing in a press statement, describing it as a heinous act that has no place in society.
Nwankwo assured the bereaved family and residents of Ukwa West that the matter was receiving urgent attention. He disclosed that he had informed the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, who immediately directed his Chief Security Officer and relevant security agencies to commence investigations and ensure that those responsible are apprehended and brought to justice.
Also condemning the murder, the General Manager of the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Venerable Joshua Onyeike, described the killing as a senseless and barbaric act.
“This senseless and barbaric killing is a direct assault on the peace, security, and communal values that the people of Ukwa West have worked tirelessly to preserve,” Onyeike said.
He called for a thorough, swift, and uncompromising investigation into the incident and urged security agencies to leave no stone unturned in identifying, arresting, and prosecuting the perpetrators.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Ukwa West State Constituency, Chief Sylvanus Uzoma Nwaji, expressed deep sadness over the incident, stating that such acts of violence have no place in any civilized society. According to Nwaji, the murder poses a grave threat to the peace, security, and development of Ukwa West and must be addressed decisively to prevent future occurrences.
Other stakeholders who condemned the killing include the Labour Party candidate for the Ukwa West State Constituency, Surveyor Joshua Ahukanna; Ukwa West Abia Arise Coordinator, Hon. Ndukauba Adiele; and the Coordinator of the Abia State Orientation Agency (ABSOA), Ukwa West Chapter, Mr. Juochi Ekekeuku.
They collectively called on security agencies to intensify efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the murder and ensure that justice is served.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Ukwa West Executive Chairman, Nwankwo, has convened a Security Summit to address the growing security concerns across the local government.
