The chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah, escaped death by a whisker when one of her security aides opened fire on her.

The incident occurred barely one week after she was recalled from a three-month suspension by the state House of Assembly on allegation of financial misappropriation levelled against her by some of the councillors.

The council boss who attended a thanksgiving service on the fateful day in Asaba had hardly entered her car when the policeman in the front seat turned back and shot at her.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the incident on Friday said, “it was an accidental discharge,” adding that the suspect, identified as David has been arrested.

Speaking to Saturday Tribune from her hospital bed in Asaba, the council boss said the bullet hit her in the stomach, hand and thighs, adding that 22 pellets were recovered from the vehicle.

“My orderly just opened the door for me to enter the vehicle while the policeman sitting in the front seat turned and faced me with his gun.

“The next thing I saw was fire all over me, as he shot at me consistently. I was lucky the bullet did not open my stomach. I was hit in other parts of my body. It was God who saved my life,” she said.

According to the chairman, when the suspect was apprehended by other security details and sympathisers, he confessed hearing strange voices to shoot as he was under some spiritual influence.

She thanked God for sparing her life, adding that she did not suspect any foul play.

•Sourced from Nigerian Tribune. Photo shows the victim, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah.