Metro
Police nab Inspector, 3 others over alleged murder of Imo lawyer
The Imo State Police Command has arrested four suspects including a police inspector in connection with the murder of Barrister Chinedu Nwowu.
The police inspector identified as Augustine Odidika was reportedly arrested last Thursday shortly after the gruesome murder of Nwowu in Mgbidi Town last Wednesday.
SaharaReporters learned that the police inspector had threatened to kill the lawyer for which he petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police for threats to live, a petition that was yet to be investigated before he was murdered.
Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch, Chief Chris Ihentuge, revealed this development to SaharaReporters on Tuesday in a telephone interview.
According to him, the police informed the NBA delegation, during a visit to the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, on Monday.
“During the meeting, the Bar leaders urged the Police to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice. They assured the Police of the willingness of the Bar to collaborate and support the ongoing investigation,” he said.
However, during discussions, the police informed the delegation that investigations have commenced, adding that the case file and suspects had been transferred from the Mgbidi Police Division to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
“The Deputy Commissioner of Police disclosed that four suspects, including a serving Inspector of Police who is also the deceased’s kinsman, have been arrested in connection with the murder. Efforts are also underway to apprehend a warrant officer serving in Enugu who has been implicated in the case,” he said.
He added, “The Police Chiefs assured the Bar of an impartial and thorough investigation. They emphasized that the involvement of a serving police officer would not hinder the pursuit of justice, vowing to prosecute all those responsible for this crime.”
He explained that the reason they were showing much interest was because of the involvement of a police inspector.
He said, “You know they may like to use his position to influence whatever but the commissioner and deputy commissioner have assured us that no matter how highly placed the people involved are that they will do the needful. And one of the persons that they are still looking for is a Warrant Officer in the Army, he is serving in Enugu.
“So they are also putting things in place to make sure that he is apprehended. We assured them that we are going to cooperate with them in whatever they are doing to make sure that justice is served. So the NBA is ready and willing to assist, the person that was murdered is our colleague, so we can’t leave like that.”
He revealed that in the past two years, four lawyers had been killed in the state by unknown assailants.
“Let us say in the past two years, more than four of our colleagues have been killed whether by known people or unknown persons. Last time when a chairman of customary court was murdered in court at Agwa in Oguta local government, we boycotted court, had a protest march to the office of the commissioner of police.
“We are still looking out at the other options but we want to watch how police will investigate this matter,” he said.
Regarding whether the NBA is going to support the police with money to carry out the investigation, he said, “I know in this case that having known that NBA is interested they may not demand money for investigation but if money will prevent it, NBA will fund whatever investigation.
“It is part of our obligation and we do it for people who are not lawyers and what about somebody that is our colleague. So if money will stop the investigation, NBA will come in to help.
“Even the NBA at the national level is also interested in the matter. The president of the association, Mazi Afam Osigwe has been calling us to find out what is happening. So everybody is interested in the matter.”
On whether there has been any clue as to why the lawyer was killed, the NBA branch chairman said the investigation will unravel that, warning against speculation.
He said, “Honestly, I cannot say, all these things will be unraveled by the police investigation, we cannot prejudge the investigation.
“Let them come out with their investigation, it is not good to speculate on some of these things. But the policeman that was arrested, I learned that there was a petition written by the deceased to the Assistant Inspector General of Police against this policeman for threats to his life and the man said that he would kill the lawyer.
“As a result, he wrote the petition for which was yet to be treated before he was murdered.”
Three persons, two confirmed to be from the same family, are feared drowned in a boat mishap in Niger State.
The incident occured in Lapai Local Government Area of the state.
Vanguard gathered that the boat was overloaded with over 200 bags of rice and capsized about 9p.m., on the fateful day as a result of heavy windstorm.
While some claimed that many people drowned during the incident, a source confirmed that only three persons travelled in the boat because the boat was already overloaded and that they all drowned.
It was further gathered that the bags of rice were purchased in Lapai council and were being ferried to Lokoja, Kogi State for sale.
The source said: “The boat was overloaded with bags of rice from our area-Lapai thereby occupying all available spaces in the canoe. Two of those who went on the journey are of the same parents and believed to have most of the bags of rice being transported for sale.
“The bags of rice are more than 200 and the storm which started on their way must have also contributed to the sudden accident.”
Public Relations Officer, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Hussaini Ibrahim, when contacted said the agency was yet to get details of the incident and promised to issue a statement later.
Corpses of those feared dead were yet to be recovered at press time.
The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a Herbalist identified as Murtala Musa, over the death and mutilation of an 11-year-old boy in Kodomun village, Demsa Local Government Area.
SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, Police Public Relations Officer in a statement said the incident was reported to the police in Demsa on the 13th of April, 2025, by the Village Head of Kodomun and one Fancy Alifas, the Mother of their Victim.
“She reported that her son, Yangapwa David, aged 11, was taken to the said herbalist for treatment but unfortunately died while in his custody.”
According to her, arrangements were made to convey the body home, during which time the corpse was left in the herbalist’s room.
Shockingly, upon her return, she discovered that her son’s left eye had been removed.
“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives swiftly visited the scene and arrested the suspect.”
The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, *CP Dankombo Morris assured members of the public that the Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice is served.
The suspect remains in custody as the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, has been detailed to conduct a discreet investigation.
The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the death of a man identified simply as Peter, who was killed by a mob in Bauchi metropolis over allegations of dog theft.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakili.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on April 9, 2025, and involved a mob assault on two individuals accused of stealing a dog.
Wakili said the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into what he described as an “egregious act of jungle justice.”
The second victim, identified as Dokagk Danladi, aged 38, was also attacked by a group of youths in a secluded area behind Lushi. He sustained severe machete wounds to the head and was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
Peter, whose surname is yet to be identified, was found at the scene and was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area has led a team of detectives to the crime scene to gather evidence and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
CP Aliyu condemned the act, describing it as barbaric and a threat to the nation’s legal framework. He warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.
“No individual has the authority to brutalize a suspect. Anyone apprehended for any alleged crime should be handed over to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution,” the Commissioner stated.
He appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing relevant information that could aid the investigation.
“The Command is resolute in its pursuit of justice and is committed to ensuring that all those involved in this heinous act are brought to book,” Aliyu added.
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