By  Festus Ahon
APPREHENSION enveloped Ughelli metropolis, Thursday night, following the murder of former Transition Committee Chairman of Patani Local Government Council, Mr Paul Atie who was shot dead by yet to be identified gunmen.

It was gathered that the patani Local Government Area born politician and a strong supporter Mr Raymos Guanah, was shot dead around the Ughelli central motorpark .

Our correspondent reports that the suspected assassins made away with the deceased Toyota Avensis car, adding that the suspected assassins numbering four blocked his car and ordered him to get into their own.

According to a reliable source, Atie was shot on his rib region before he could utter a word and said Atie’s family was contacted  about 7.30 pm through his mobile phone by some sympathizers.

The source who pleaded anonymity, said Mr Atie gave up the ghost before he could get medical attention and said the deceased who hailed from Agoloma community in the Patani Local Government Area had in recent times received threat text messages from unknown persons.

Effort made to reach the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Ughelli ‘A’ proved abortive as at press time. However, a senior police officer in the division confirmed the story, adding that the police was already on the trail of the suspected assassins.