Daring gunmen assassinated Igwe Ezugwu Patrick, the traditional ruler of Adani Autonomous Community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
On Christmas Eve, he was assassinated at Akutara Village.
The Enugu State Commissioner of Police (CP), Kanayo Uzuegbu, confirmed the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the shooting and murder of the traditional ruler on Christmas Day during a visit to the crime scene. He stated that the police had vowed to be brutal with those found guilty of the crime.
The Traditional Prime Minister of the village, Dr. Obinna Ayogu, addressed the CP at the scene of the incident, saying they were shocked by the shooting and murder of the royal father, whom he characterized as a peaceful guy.
CP Uzuegbu stated in his presentation that he was at the Adani community with his team to assess the situation in order to take proper police action. He insisted that both the masterminds and the perpetrators of the illegal activities would be apprehended and prosecuted.
The CP’s words:
“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 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 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.
DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the arrest, saying the incident was committed at 9 p.m. on Sunday by armed hoodlums suspected of being assassins.
The PPRO stated in a press statement personally signed by him on Christmas Day that the commissioner had already directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a full-scale investigation that would result in the prosecution of everyone found wanting.
Speaking to reporters 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 late traditional ruler’s family and the community that the governor had directed that justice be served in a timely manner.
He further stated that in their resolute efforts to keep the state safe and crime-free, security personnel would continue to go after unrepentant offenders wherever they were.
While describing the incident as unfortunate, the CSO insisted that the state’s security agents’ quick response, particularly in apprehending the hoodlums, demonstrated that they had already bought into the governor’s security project to make the entire state crime-free for residents and citizens.
Akinlalu went on to say that no type of criminality would be tolerated in the state, and that everyone engaged in the killing of the traditional ruler would be held accountable when information regarding the whereabouts of other suspects was uncovered.
Consolating the dead family, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, Chairman of the Council Area, said he was delighted the governor had already taken an interest in the case, with some of the suspects behind bars.
“I want to commend the governor for responding almost immediately the event happened. The governor personally reached out to me about the deployment of local intelligence to uncover those behind this because he said all those culpable must face the wrath of the law. The CP also called me about the development, and promised to be here. I want to appreciate the security agencies for their efforts. In fact, the Area Commander slept over in this place. The way the state government and the security agencies reacted to the development has brought everything under control,” he noted.