Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Police Command in Enugu State says it has arrested three suspects in connection to the gruesome murder of its officers and three members of Neighbourhood Watch on escort mission in Igga Community, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area.
DSP, Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the command disclosed this in a statement in Enugu.
He said: “The Enugu State Police Command wishes to inform the public of the unprovoked and unwarranted attack and gruesome murder of two (2) Policemen and three (3) Neighbourhood Watch Group members by harboured criminal members of the Igga Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, in the evening hours of Friday, May 3, 2024.
“On the same date, a combined security team of three (3) policemen and four (4) Neighbourhood Watch provided security for a team of visiting investors from Lagos on a tour of a proposed agricultural investment site in the area.
“However, the team was ambushed and attacked by a large group of the criminal elements, who opened fire on them.
“Upon the unprovoked sudden attack, members of the team scampered for safety, while an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who led the team, one Neighbourhood Watch personnel, and the three (3) member team of investors were later rescued by a police team that immediately mobilised to the crime scene.
“But the eventually murdered members of the team went missing and unaccounted for.
“However, in the course of a full-scale investigation and a search and manhunt operation launched thereafter, three (3) males suspected to have masterminded the attack were arrested.
“Their revelations during interrogation led to the discovery and recovery of the slain policemen and Neighborhood Watch members in the forest on May 4, 2024.
“Their lifeless bodies were taken to the hospital, confirmed dead by doctors, and deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”
According to Ndukwe, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has described the unprovoked criminal act of the gruesome murder of the personnel as inconceivable, dastardly, and unwarranted.
“Hence, he orders further deployment of the Command’s intelligence and operational resources to sustain the manhunt of the fleeing criminals, stressing that the Police will stop at nothing to fish out and bring the perpetrators of the senseless act to book.
“Furthermore, the CP has cautioned those who, in an attempt to misinform and mislead unsuspecting members of the public, are circulating unverified videos alleging the burning and looting of houses in the community by joint forces to desist forthwith.
“The Commissioner has also advised members of the Igga community, particularly the criminal elements directly involved in the unthinkable and wanton act of murdering serving police officers and others, to voluntarily surrender themselves to the Police without delay,” the PPRO said.
Ikengaonline had on Sunday reported the invasion of Igga Community by persons wearing Army and police uniforms, shooting and burning of houses and destroying anything on sight.
