Police arrest seven over ‘murder’ of Ebonyi monarch

The police command in Ebonyi says it has arrested seven suspects over their alleged involvement in the murder of Igboke Ewa, the traditional ruler of Umuezekoha community, in Ezza North LGA of the state.

 Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the state’s command spokesperson, announced the arrest in a statement on Wednesday.

TheCable had reported that Ewa was killed by some gunmen in his home on February 26.

Police had declared Bernard Odoh, governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), and nine other persons wanted in connection with the murder. 

However, Odoh was not listed among the suspects arrested.

NAN quoted Onovwakpoyeya as saying that the apprehended suspects include Nnabuike Emmanuel, Chukwudi Aliewa, Obinna Nwampepe, Uchenna Eze, Nwogha George, Nnamdi Paul, and Odo Kenneth.

He said three of the suspects have “made useful confessional statements” and identified other collaborators who are not in the police net yet.

“Sequel to the attack and murder of the traditional ruler, a formal complaint was made at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Achiagu, in the area by his son, Mr Igboke Samuel, ‘That his father, 76, of Umu-Ezekoha Community in Ezza North, was attacked and murdered in cold blood in his palace by hoodlums,” the statement reads.

“A petition dated March 1, was also received by the Police on behalf of the family. Shortly, the complainant made a useful statement to the Police. In the course of the investigation, seven suspects out of 10 were apprehended.

“The arrested suspects are Nnabuike Emmanuel ‘m’ 26yrs old aka Champaign, Chukwudi Aliewa ‘m’ 28yrs aka Ezza get Boys, Obinna Nwampepe ‘m’ 39yrs aka Nwampepe, Uchenna Eze ‘m’ 28yrs, Nwogha George ‘m’ 29yrs, Nnamdi Paul ‘m’ and Odo Kenneth ‘m’.

“During interrogation, three of the suspects made useful Confessional statements to the Police and mentioned some of their collaborators in the gruesome murder of the Monarch, who are currently at large.”