The Enugu State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in connection with the killing of the traditional ruler of Adani Autonomous Community in Uzo Uwani council area, Igwe Ezugwu Patrick.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, who disclosed this in a statement said the traditional ruler was killed in Akutara village of the community on Sunday, December 24, 2023 at about 9.pm by armed hoodlums suspected to be assassins.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, and his team visited the community on Monday, December 25, to assess the situation for effective police action.
The CP maintained that both the masterminds and executioners of the criminal acts would be fished out to face the wrath of the law.
“The governor of Enugu State said I should relocate to this local government and ensure that all those responsible for this unfortunate act are apprehended in line with the state’s zero tolerance for crime,” he said.
“Immediately the news got to me, I dispatched my men from the Criminal Investigation Department and the Area Command, led by the Area Commander, to visit here and ensure that all those involved are arrested because no incident like this should happen without severe consequences.
“I want to disclose that so far, we have arrested eight prime suspects and we will continue to trail the remaining criminal masterminds of this murder. We must get to the root of this matter by unravelling all those behind the killing
“I want to let you know that the governor is not happy that a breach of this nature could occur, so he asked me to come here to ensure that all the criminals are fished out. I can assure you that these criminals will never go unpunished.
“So, all those responsible for this crime will be brought to book and punished according to the law.”
The President-General of the community, Chief S.N Utazi, who briefed the CP during the visit, said his people were impressed by the swift response from the state government immediately after the sad news broke.
Utazi added that nobody had anticipated such a heinous crime as the community had been at peace in the recent past.
He called on the police to continue the manhunt for the remaining suspects.
The community’s traditional prime minister, Dr Obinna Ayogu, said they were shocked by the murder of the monarch.
He lauded the governor and the security agencies for living up to expectations through the positive steps they had taken to reassure the people of the community and the local government of their safety