From Jude Chinedu and Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
Gunmen have assassinated Igwe Patrick Ezugwu, the traditional ruler of Adani autonomous community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The monarch was reportedly shot dead in his residence, at Akutara village, at about 9pm, on Sunday, the Christmas Eve.
Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said he was at the Adani community with his team to assess the situation for effective police action. He announced that eight suspects in connection with the murder have been arrested, assuring that all the masterminds and executioners of the criminal acts would be fished out.
He said, “His Excellency, 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.
“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 made the arrest of 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.”
The President-General of the community, Chief S.N. Utazi, said his people were impressed by the swift response from the state government immediately after the sad news broke out, adding 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 its manhunt for the remaining suspects and ensure that no stone was left unturned in punishing the assailants, in order to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Traditional Prime Minister of the community, Dr. Obinna Ayogu, said they were dumbfounded by the shooting and murder of the royal father, whom he described as a peaceful man. He lauded the governor and the security agencies for living up to expectations through the positive steps they had taken, which meant reassuring the people of the community and the local government at large of their safety.
Further confirming the arrest, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ndukwe (DSP), in a press statement, said the dastardly act took place about 9pm, on Sunday.
Ndukwe said the CP Uzoegwu had already directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to carry out a full-scale investigation that will lead to the prosecution of anyone found wanting.
Meanwhile, the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, CSP Alex Akinlalu, who addressed newsmen at the Adani Police Division shortly after transferring the suspects to the SCID, assured the family of the late monarch and the community that the governor had directed that justice should be dispensed within time.
Akinlalu said the security operatives would continue to go after unrepentant criminals, wherever they were, in their determined efforts to make the state safe and crime-free.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, the CSO insisted that the rapid response of the security agents in the state, particularly in arresting the hoodlums, showed that they had already keyed into the governor’s security project to make the entire state free of crimes for residents and citizens.
He added that no form of criminality would be allowed in the state, assuring that every person involved in the killing of the traditional ruler would pay for it as information about the whereabouts of other suspects was being unraveled.