CP Ahmad Abdurrahman
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahman, has ordered immediate investigation into the killing of Igwe Emmanuel Mba, traditional ruler of Oruku community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state by armed men on Saturday. The killing has raised tension in the community as the youths have continued to vandalise properties till Sunday morning
A statement on Sunday in Enugu by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, quoted Abdurrahman as saying the command will meticulously investigate and bring the perpetrators to book.
“Following the act of violence that occurred in Oruku Community over the alleged shooting and death of its traditional ruler by armed men suspected to be policemen, normalcy has been restored by police operatives.
“I have promptly ordered the deployment of operatives of the command to the area and the launch of a full-scale investigation into the incidence.
“The command will meticulously investigate and bring the perpetrators of the alleged murder and the ensuing acts of violence to book.
“I also call on residents of the community to remain calm while eschewing acts capable of inciting further violence in the area pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Anyone found wanting will be made to face the full weight of the law,’’ Abdurrahman said.
Igwe Emmanuel Chidebere Mba was shot dead by men who claimed to be police officers from Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The incident threw the community into crisis as houses and cars belonging to community members alleged to be behind the shooting of the traditional ruler have been set ablaze.
Eyewitnesses said that ‘policemen’ who were led by one Inspector Danladi, invaded the community in at about 2pm on Saturday and sought to see the traditional ruler who was addressing community members inside the community town hall.
Three natives of Oruku community, identified as Emmanuel Nwobodo, Onyema Edeh and Sunday Onunze, reportedly escorted the armed men to the townhall
People ran in confusion as the armed men shot sporadically into the air and attempted to effect arrest of some of the natives who wanted to offer some resistance.
The armed men took away the bleeding royal father alongside one Agozie Ani to Parklane hospital Enugu but he could not be admitted due to lack of bed space.
They were referred to the National Orthopedic hospital, Enugu but on arrival doctors at the Emergency Unit only confirmed the royal father dead.
His corpse was deposited at the National Orthopedic hospital mortuary while the whereabouts of Ani is yet to be known.
As a result of the incident, the aggrieved members of Oruku community reportedly regrouped Saturday evening and attacked the homes of some indigenes believed to be behind the murder of the traditional ruler.
As at Sunday morning the vandalisation of private properties were still ongoing.
