Slain Nasarawa APC chairperson buried

The slain Nasarawa State All Progressives Congress (APC) chairperson, Philip Shekwo, was buried on Friday in his hometown, Yelwa, Toto Local Government Area, amid tears by family and sympathisers.
Mr Shekwo was buried at about 2:20 p.m. at his residence in accordance with Christian rites.

Mr Shekwo was abducted on November 21 from his residence in Lafia, the state capital, and found dead on Sunday, November 22.

Governor Abdullahi Sule, while speaking at the funeral service at Ebenezer Baptist Chruch, Yelwa, assured of the state government’s commitment to fish out perpetrators of the crime to serve as deterrent to others.

Mr Sule, who was represented by his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, also assured the family of the deceased APC chairperson of prayers and support.

“Philip is a gentle man to the core. His death is not only a loss to Yelwa community, Toto LGA, the state alone but Nigeria as a whole because he was a detribalised Nigerian.

“By God’s grace, the perpetrators will surely be brought to book as it is unfair, evil and an ungodly act.

”Government will do everything within its powers to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book,” Sule said.

Also speaking, a senator, Umar Al-Makura (APC- Nasarawa South), described the late APC chairperson as a man of peace, progress and development.

“Shekwo is a friend, brother and someone that I have cherished,” he said.

The former governor urged the state government to conduct vigorous investigation to fish out perpetrators of the act.

Also speaking, wife of the deceased, Mrs Larai, said her husband was a peaceful man.

“My husband was a man of prayers, man that does not want to cheat, he was a caring father and hero,” she said.

She urged the people to pray for the family and for the repose of her husband’s soul.

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In his sermon, Bulus Ali, President of Benue/ Nasarawa Baptist Conference, said death was is an inevitable end of all human and living beings.

”There is no end to death as there is life after death and there is going to be judgment after death,” he said.

The man of God urged the state government to do more in the area of security in order to protect lives and property.

”Government should improve on the security apparatus so that we can live in peace. If not, no one is safe in the state,” he said.

He admonished Nigerians to live a life worth of emulation in order to inherit the kingdom of God.

The cleric prayed for the repose of the soul of Mr Shekwo as he equally prayed for protection of the family of the late APC Chairman.

Other dignitaries in attendance at the burial included, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Silifat Sule, the Nasarawa State First Lady and Godiya Akwashiki (APC- Nasarawa North).

Others are Jonathan Gaza (PDP), Abdulmumin Ari (APC) and former deputy governor of the state, Silas Agara.

(NAN)