The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspect linked to the hacking of a businessman, Luke Eziokwu, to death, at his residence in the Ibite-Okpatu community, in the Udi Local Government Area of the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Eziokwu and his niece, Ginika, were at home when an argument that degenerated into a fight happened between them.
Angered by the attacks on her during the fight, our correspondent learnt that Ginika left the scene of the clash and went to report to one Uche, who led cultists to Eziokwu’s residence.
The cultists, numbering about six and armed with dangerous weapons including axes, upon sighting Eziokwu, who was at home with his wife, Ukamaka, and two children, Onyinye and Adaobi, allegedly hacked him to death.
Eziokwu’s brother, Sunday, while lamenting over the development, urged the Enugu State Police Command to track down the cultists responsible for the death of the businessman.
The 49-year-old told PUNCH Metro, “My late brother argued with one of our nieces, Ginika. The argument led to a fight and out of annoyance, Ginika called Uche, who came with his brother, Agu, to the house, and after seeing Eziokwu, they left.
“Around 11 pm, Uche’s brother led about six cultists to my brother’s house, and when I saw them from my side of the building, I started demanding what happened, and he attacked me and broke the window of my flat.
“He came with five cultists, and they started calling Eziokwu’s name. He broke the door, and when they entered, they started attacking Eziokwu until he was killed. After a short while, I saw the cultists carrying someone out of Luke’s apartment.”
Sunday said he traced the cultists’ footprints to Agu’s house, adding that he reported the case to the Chief Security Officer, Thomas Ibekwe, who led security officials to Agu’s house, where they saw clothes and boots stained with blood.
He noted that Ibekwe later reported the case at the Ninth Mile Police Station for the case to be properly investigated.
Ibekwe, when contacted, declined to speak on the incident but directed our correspondent to the state police command for further details.
Speaking with our correspondent, Eziokwu’s wife, who was distraught by the tragedy that befell her husband, alleged that Agu led the attack that claimed the life of the businessman.
“It was Agu that led the boys to our house. I saw him during the attack. They came with axes. I want the police to help me get justice. I have two children, Onyinye, two, and Adaobi, one,” she said.
While assessing the corpse of the businessman in a picture provided to our correspondent, deep cuts were observed at his back. Blood stains were also observed around Eziokwu’s forehead, and his remains were seen lying on a bench.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, said the command had commenced an investigation into the case, adding that one suspect had been arrested.
He said, “An alleged female masterminder has been arrested and the case is undergoing investigation.”
