The people of Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State have been thrown into mourning following the murder of Mr. Sabinus Odu, an uncle to the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

Odu, the Vice-Principal of Community Secondary School, Aluu, was killed earlier in the week by some suspected assassins.

The deceased, whose pastime was hunting, had gone to the bush to check on a trap before he was killed.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, told journalists on Friday that though the government would not want to be presumptuous on the matter, the killing might have been politically motivated.

Semenitari said though the late Odu was not a card-carrying member of any political party, he had sympathy for the state governor.

Pointing out that Odu and Amaechi were from the same grandparents, Semenitari described the deceased as a humble man.

She said, “On Monday, the governor’s uncle came back from school in the evening. He later went to the farm to check his trap. But when they could not see him after several hours, a search party was conducted.

“The search party later saw his motorbike by the side of the bush before his body was later found with several machete cuts.

“The matter was immediately reported to the Elele Police Station. Mr. Sabinus Odu was a humble citizen. He was not a contractor. His only crime is that he is related to the governor.”

She, however, called on the police to ensure that no stone was left unturned in apprehending the suspects.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, said the state police command had received a report on the incident.

Mohammad, however, said that investigation had begun on the matter with a view to apprehending those behind it.