Police arrest two over murder of Imo inspector

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By Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri

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The Imo State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a police inspector, Mr Henry Effiong, in Owerri.

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The command also said it was trailing another suspect believed to have been involved in the killing.

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The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, disclosed this on Wednesday in a telephone interview with Vanguard.

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Okoye confirmed that the inspector was killed and that his rifle was stolen by the assailants.

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“It is true that the Police Inspector was killed. It is also true that his rifle was stolen by his assailants.

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“As at the time of talking to you, two suspects have been arrested for their supposed involvement in the crime. They are already telling the police all they know about the incident.

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“The Command is also on the trail of the third person believed to be the mastermind of the crime,” he said.

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According to the PPRO, Effiong, who was attached to the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief Rex Anunobi, was reportedly attacked with machetes.

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He said the incident occurred on Monday at the commissioner’s residence in New Owerri.

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“Detailed investigation into the matter is ongoing. The suspects, who are presently in police custody, would be arraigned in court after the investigation,” Okoye said.

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Meanwhile, when Vanguard visited the area on Wednesday, residents were seen in clusters, discussing the incident in low tones.

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A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the inspector’s lifeless body was discovered in his room with visible machete cuts.

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According to the resident, the inspector’s legs were tied and his firearm and mobile phone were reportedly missing.

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The resident also claimed that one of the security guards in the area had disappeared, suggesting that the guard might have had knowledge of or involvement in the incident.

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The allegation concerning the security guard could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.

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