Police arrest two over murder of Imo inspector

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

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

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

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

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

“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.

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

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

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

“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.

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

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

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

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.

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