A former special adviser to former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has been shot dead in the country's southeast.

Ahmed Ali Gulak, a special aide on Political Affairs to the Jonathan presidency was killed by unknown gunmen while returning to Abuja from Owerri, capital of Imo State.

Gulak’s daughter announced the demise of her father via her Twitter handle, @Muneerahaag. Which post read in part: “I just lost my dad please put him in your Dua (supplication). Thank you as you do so."

She added an Arabic version of a prayer for seeking God's favour on her father. "Allaahummaghfir li (Ahmed Ali Gulak) warfa’ darajatahu fil-mahdiyyeena, wakhlufhu fee ‘aqibihi fil-ghaabireena , waghfir-lanaa wa lahu yaa Rabbal-‘aalameena, wafsah lahu fee qabrihi wa nawwir lahu feehi”

Till his death, Gulak was speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to the Imo State police, Gulak left his hotel without any security detail in spite of the insecurity in the state.

All this at a time security is heightened across south eastern states following an order by secessionist group inder the Biafra independence banner.

Bala Elkana, the Imo police spokesman, said six armed bandits intercepted and shot at the APC chieftain who was heading to the airport in a taxi.

The statement read: “On the 30/5/2021, at about 07:20hrs, armed bandits intercepted and attacked a Toyota Camry cab carrying Ahmed Gulak and two others who were on their way to Sam Mbakwe Airport to catch a flight.

“Ahmed Gulak left his room at Protea Hotel without informing the Police nor sister agencies in view of the fragile security situation in the South East and Imo in particular.

“He left without any security escorts and while the cab driver took irregular route to the airport, six armed bandits who rode in a Toyota Sienna intercepted, identified and shot at Ahmed Gulak at around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area close to the Airport.

“The Commissioner of Police Imo CP Abutu Yaro, fdc has directed a discreet investigation into the matter as Tactical and Special forces have been deployed to cordone the area and arrest perpetrators.”