In Imo State, unknown gunmen kidnapped and killed an Inspector of Police named Augustine Ukegbu.
Ukegbu was killed when he returned home to celebrate Easter with his family in his village of Umuoshike Ogbor in the state’s Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area.
According to a source, the inspector was kidnapped from his home upon his return from his base in Owerri and was later discovered dead in a bush along Mbutu in Aboh Mbaise LGA.
The source said, “Inspector Augustine Ukegbu, who was assigned to the Orji police divisional headquarters, returned home to Aboh Mbaise to celebrate Easter with his family.” Around 11 p.m on April 8, gunmen in a Lexus jeep arrived and kidnapped him from his home in the village.
The kidnapping was reported to the Oke Ovoro police division. The SUV in which he was kidnapped was later found abandoned along the Mbutu Road in Aboh Mbaise. Police officers arrived at the scene, searched the surrounding bush, and discovered the inspector’s body.
According to the source, the inspector’s body was deposited in a mortuary in the area by some police officers, and his vehicle was recovered by his colleagues.
Another source, who was enraged by the officer’s death, claimed to have seen the slain officer in Owerri on the day he was traveling to the village.
He said, “I ran into Inspector Augustine in Owerri, and he told me he was on his way to Mbaise to celebrate Easter with his family.” We exchanged pleasantries, and I wished him safe travels. He was assigned to the Orji police division and had previously worked at the Owerri police headquarters. He worked for the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Department. His death has saddened me.
The state police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the command had launched an investigation into the kidnapping and killing of the Inspector.
