Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Police in Anambra State have arrested four suspects allegedly involved in the burning of a 74-year-old woman in a wheelchair in Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of the State.
A release from the State Police Command said the suspects include a 21-year old lady Chinenye Ekwenugo, Uzochukwu Okeke aged 47, Fidel Anayo, 60; and Ikenna Anene aged 54 respectively, all from Abagana.
Police spokesperson in the State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives at Abagana Divisional Police Headquarters who carried out the arrest on Monday, also recovered a casket, remains of the deceased and her wheelchair.
“During interrogation by the Police Operatives, the suspect, Chinenye confessed that her boyfriend Ifeanyi Igwe who is currently at large and three others set the victim ablaze and got a casket to bury her before the intervention of the security operatives.
“Operatives have also initiated moves to arrest the main suspect Ifeanyi Igwe who is currently on the run. The body of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue for autopsy and further probe of the cause of the death.
“Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has sued for calm and ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Command for a comprehensive investigation,” Ikenga said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ASDRC), Barr Chuks Ezewuzie said in a statement that the commission will be fully involved in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
“We will collaborate with the Police, the State Ministry of justice, State ministry of Women Affairs, State VAPP committee and other necessary organisations to ensure a coordinated response. The commission will invoke the relevant sections of all legal frameworks including the Anambra state disability rise law, the VAPP law, and the criminal code to cover all grounds.
The death must not be given an opportunity to resurrect in Anambra State. This society must not be allowed to tolerate the intolerable.”
