Hoodlums kill popular Enugu opposition politician

Some armed hoodlums have killed a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State, Ikechukwu Oloto.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Mr Oloto was killed by the hoodlums who invaded his residence on Thursday evening at Odenigbo, Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said the politician was stabbed repeatedly by the armed men during the attack.

When contacted on Saturday morning, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, said the command received a report at about 5:45 p.m. on 17 September that Mr Oloto was “found in a pool of blood” in his residence.

“Operatives promptly responded and found him with deep suspected machete cuts to his head and stomach.

“He was rushed to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor,” he said in a short message forwarded to this newspaper via WhatsApp.

The spokesperson said the body of the deceased had been deposited at a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The police, he said, have launched a manhunt for the attackers.

‘We’re on top of the situation,’ Nsukka LG

Reacting in a Facebook post on Friday, the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Chinedu Asogwa, described the killing as “an act of pure wickedness.”

Mr Asogwa, who condemned the attack, vowed to track down the killers.

“To the family of Mr Oloto, I share in your pain. This administration stands with you in this moment of grief.

“To the good people of Nsukka, be assured: we are on top of the situation, and we will not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous act are tracked down and brought to justice,” he said.

“Every instrument of government at our disposal, security personnel, intelligence networks, and community partnerships, will be deployed to protect lives, restore confidence, and ensure that criminals have no hiding place in Nsukka.”

From APC to ADC

Mr Oloto was a top member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February this year.

Recall that in October 2025, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, alongside others, moved from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.

By February this year, some APC members protested against the outcome of the party’s local government congress, alleging that the “old APC” members were shortchanged in the sharing of leadership positions.

Mr Oloto was among a horde of aggrieved APC members who defected to the ADC in protest.