Confirming the arrest on Monday during an on-the-spot visit to the community and scene of the crime, the State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said eight suspects had been arrested in connection with the shooting and murder of the traditional ruler.
The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested eight suspects in connection with the killing of the traditional ruler of Adani Autonomous Community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, Late Igwe Ezugwu Patrick.
It was gathered that the monarch was killed in Akutara village on the Christmas Eve.
Confirming the arrest on Monday during an on-the-spot visit to the community and scene of the crime, the State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said eight suspects had been arrested in connection with the shooting and murder of the traditional ruler.
Uzuegbu said that the police had resolved to be ruthless with those that would be found culpable of the crime.
He said he was at the Adani community with his team to assess the situation for effective police action, maintaining that both the masterminds and executioners of the criminal acts would be fished out to face the wrath of the law.
“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 arrest of 8 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 unraveling 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,” he added.
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 the sad news broke out, adding that nobody had anticipated such 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 at punishing the assailants in order to serve as deterrent to others.
The Traditional Prime Minister of the community, Dr Obinna Ayogu, said they were dumfounded 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 expectation through the positive steps they had taken meant at reassuring the people of the community and the local government at large of their safety.
Also addressing journalists at the Adani Police Division shortly after transferring the suspects to the SCID, the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, CSP Alex Akinlalu, assured the family of the late traditional ruler and the community that the governor had directed that justice should be dispensed within time.
He further said that security operatives would continue to go after unrepentant criminals wherever they were in their determined efforts to make the state safe and crime-free.
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