*villagers debunk radio announcement
By NWOGHA NDUBUISI ANDY, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested four suspects who gruesomely murdered Kenneth Justice a native of Amuzukwu Ibeku In Umuahia, Abia State who until his death resided in Agbaja, Izzi Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
Speaking with newsmen, Enyia Development Center Coordinator, Hon. Uchenna Nwankpuma, hinted that information reached him on that fateful morning of a herbal medicine seller who was murdered by an unknown men.
According to him, he quickly rushed to the village of the incident with Izzi Division Police, at Okpoduma in Agbaja Community where through the assistance of the villagers the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Kenneth were unveiled.
He stated that the alleged principal cuprits Mr. Ede Kelechi “M” age 20 years and a native of Ndiofa in Nkaleke Community in Ebonyi LGA was an interpreter to the deceased who lives at Edward Nkwegu’s food processing factory from where they go for the herbal medicine selling business before he met his death.
It was gathered that the alleged principal killer, Mr.Ede had in recent times stolye over one hundred and seventy thousand Naira (N170,000) from the victim and another, Seventeen thousand naira (N17,000) from same deceased man at different occasions which on serious enquires, he admitted to have stolen the money and promised to pay back, a day before the incident.
In a similar account, the Okpoduma village Head, Chief John Obiya, stated that on hearing the incident, all stakeholders of the village gathered and on interogation, the deceased sibling confided in them that he had traveled and returned that day morning.
He revealed that they had no case with any indigene, except the interpreter, Mr. Ede popularly known as Baby Oku, according to the deceased’s sibling, when they invited him Baby Oku, he admitted to have stolen the money but will pay the day his brother was killed.
He further explained that with the tip off, the principal killer and his gang were arrested and they confessed to have killed and dumped Mr Kenneth inside toilet pit to avoid paying the stolen money, noting that the villagers were angry over the news that the killers weree from Okpoduma Nwofe and called on his people to disregard the report.
Similarly, Member Advisory committee, Hon. Oyo Paul Ugboloko, and Okpoduma Nwofe youth president,Mr.Ignatius Nwodom Ijere, frowned on the news on wireless alleging that the killers are from Okpoduma village and called the general public to disregard the information purporting that those arrested are from their area as two are from Oferekpe-Agbaja, and two others from two different council areas of the state.
Meanwhile, the Development Center condemned the barbaric act, describing it as inhumane, whereas, condoled the bereaved family praying that God should give them the solace to bear the big loss.
“I want to sincerely condoled with the bereaved family for the big Loss while praying that God should give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
“I am also advising our youth from to engage in meaningful skill and not waiting for Government job before they could do something, because if those behind this crime are into business or doing handiwork,I doubt if they will had this type of taught in the first place.
Those arrested were, Mr. Agom Ezekiel,”M” 24 years, from Oferekpe-Agbaja Community,Mr. Nwokpuru Oforbuike,”M” 22 years from Oferekpe-Agbaja Community,Ede Kelechi,”M”20 years, from Ndiofa Nkaleke Community in Ebonyi LGA, and one popularly known as Lion from Ezza Effium in Ohaukwu local Government Area.
