An aide to the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Jerry Ojugbeli, was slain on Thursday by canon shots to herald the entry of dignitaries at the Ndokwa West PDP Local Government Council election campaign flag off rally at Kwale on Thursday.

Eyewitness told Daily Trust that the incident occurred as the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and other dignitaries arrived Kwale stadium, venue for the rally.

Narrating further, the source stated that when the canon was fired, it flew straight towards deceased at a close range and hit him badly, adding that the crowd's attention was already at the stadium, so help did not come on time and he died before he could be rushed to the hospital.

“This is very strange because the canon when fired normally enters the ground, but sadly this particular one flew like a rocket through the car shattering glasses and hit Mr. Ojugbeli and also injured two others close to the canon shots.

“Because people were already seated and the rally started, he was not attended to promptly, considering the degree of injuries he sustained, maybe he would have survived, but help came a bit too late,” the source noted.

Nevertheless, the rally went on as schedule, but when the news of his death filtered into the venue, the enthusiasms of party leaders and members were dampened and the rally was brought to close.

Governor Okowa expressed sadness over the untimely death of Mr. Jerry Ojugbeli, a driver to the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

In a condolence statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu condoled with the family, Deputy Speaker, the people of Umusadege, Utagba-uno and the entire Ndokwa nation over the untimely demise of Jerry Ojugbeli.

Governor Okowa, while commiserating with the family of the late Ojugbeli, urged them to take solace in God, adding, “his untimely demise is not only painful but regrettable, adding that “the late Ojugbeli was a diligent man who approached his work with the seriousness it deserves.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State I mourn the untimely demise of Mr. Jerry Ojugbeli whose accidental death was caused by a loose cannon shot at the Ndokwa West PDP Local Government Council Election Campaign Rally.”

The Governor, who bemoaned the loss of the party faithful, prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and grant speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries during the incident.

“He was a dedicated worker and party faithful whose untimely death is regrettable and there is no doubt that he will be surely missed,” Governor Okowa said.

Also Senator Barr Peter Nwaoboshi, representing the Delta North senatorial district at the National Assembly, condoled with the people of Ndokwa West on the sudden death yesterday, of Mr Jerry Ojugbeli, one of the drivers of Rt Hon. Friday Ossanebi, the Deputy Speaker of the Delta state House of Assembly.

Senator Nwaoboshi in his condolence message through the Head of his Media Team, Hon. Andie Onyemeziem, expressed his deepest sympathy to the immediate family of the deceased, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi and to the entire people of Ndokwa Nation as well as Delta State PDP.

He described Mr. Ojugbeli who died as a result of injuries sustained from a canon shot, as a victim of accidental discharge and prayed for the repose of his soul. (Daily Trust)