ALGON CONDOLES ETINAN CHAIR ON GUN ATTACK, BERATES DEATH RUMOUR MONGERS

ETINAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, CLETUS EKPO

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria ( ALGON ), Akwa Ibom State has condemned in very strong terms, the recent unwarranted attack on one of its members and Chairman of Etinan Local Government Council, Hon Cletus Ekpo by some gunmen along Aka - Etinan road.

In a release signed by the Chairman of ALGON, Hon Frank Archibong and made available to newsmen by the Association's Publicity Secretary, Mr Itoro Columba, the Association described the attack as 'callous, wicked, despicable and a crazy attempt at smearing the famous peaceful status that the state has enjoyed in recent years'.

'We wish to register our utter disgust and resentment to the inhuman and cruel attempt at the life of one of us. This attack on our peaceful and friendly member is not only condemnable but cruel and inexplicable ', ALGON bemoaned.

The body of Local Government Chairmen it was grateful to God for sparing the life of the Etinan Council helsmen, saying from the account of the incident, it was obvious that 'God miraculously saved our innocent colleague '.

ALGON however regretted the death of Hon Ekpo's police orderly in the attack. 'We however deeply regret the death of his police orderly in the dastardly attack and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and the Nigeria Police Force on this grave loss, ALGON added.

The Association wished Hon Cletus Ekpo and his driver, who also survived the attack a quick recovery and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

Meanwhile, ALGON has described as shocking, senseless and unthinkable, the recent report on the front page of a local tabloid that Hon Cletus Ekpo had died. 'We were shocked to read of the rumoured death of Hon Ekpo, not from the roadside but from a medium that calls itself a newspaper. It is strange and alien to our culture that an Akwa Ibom man would make mechanise of the life of his fellow brother by wishing him dead. It was a disgrace to the death wishers that our colleague, who has fast recuperated, read the screaming headline 'Cletus Ekpo Dead from his hospital bed', ALGON bemoaned.

While praying God to forgive the death rumour mongers, it harped on the need for people to return to the path of moral rectitude and dignity of human life, saying life is sacred and valuable and must be treated as such.