Bayelsa guber: Police arrest suspect, invite 17 others over murder of APC stalwart

A prime suspect, Promise Meshak, has been arrested by the police in Bayelsa State for the alleged murder of a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Andrew June. The police were also said to have invited 17 persons including a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alex Ekiotenne, in connection with the alleged murder. June was stabbed to death with machetes last Wednesday while returning from Ekeremor town after attending the APC governorship campaign along with others who also suffered various degrees of injuries. Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the arrest of the prime suspect, Promise Meshak. He said Meshak, a 23-year-old man, allegedly inflicted the deceased APC member with machete cuts which led to his eventual death. He, however, said others that were either arrested or invited were for investigation purpose, adding that the public would be kept abreast of the development. “I can tell you that the prime suspect, Promise Meshak, has been apprehended. If there are other persons arrested in connection with the murder, it is for investigation purpose. Investigation is ongoing,” he stated. Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has condemned the killing of Andrew June in Oweiggbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state. The governor, who said he was deeply moved by the death of the man, called on the security agencies in the state to urgently investigate and fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor also cautioned politicians and their supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during campaigns. He noted that election is not a do-or-die affair and therefore any acts of violence should be condemned. “The reported death of Mr. Andrew June came to me as a rude shock because it was a needless and reprehensible act by whoever may have been responsible. “As I have always said, election should be a civilized process, conducted in a peaceful manner rather than do or die affair. As such the perpetrators of this heinous act must be fished out and appropriately punished”, he said. Meanwhile, the APC has lauded the police for the timely arrest of the suspected murderer and interrogation of other persons in connection with the murder. In a statement on Saturday, Director,Media and Publicity, Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation, Nathan Egba, said the recent violent attack perpetrated by the alleged PDP thugs and arrest of the killer had confirmed the fears of the APC that the PDP was stock piling arms to cause mayhem in a bid to rig the election. “Bayelsans and Nigerians can now truly see which of the political parties and candidates are spoiling for war to intimidate and harass APC members. “The APC and the governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, have commended the police for rising to the occasion to check the excesses of the opposition and their thugs. “We urge the police to continue to remain neutral and courageous enough to deal decisively with any group or individual that engage in acts capable of disrupting the election”, Egba said.