The Imo State Police Command has arrested Obinna Obiekea, also known as Losky, and his son, Chidubem Obiekea, for allegedly setting fire to a kinsman, Chima Okafor, on New Year’s Day.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed that the two suspects are in police custody and stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
Speaking to reporters in Owerri after submitting a petition to the state Commissioner of Police on Monday, the father of the deceased, Mr. Uche Okafor, revealed that his 35-year-old son was dragged out of a church on December 31, in the Nnebugwu autonomous community of Oguta LGA, where he was attending a crossover night service.
Mr. Okafor alleged that the suspects set his son on fire for supposedly stealing a pair of jeans valued at N25,000.
He further explained that his son was taken to a church-owned hospital in Mgbele, Oguta, where he ultimately died from his injuries due to the severe burns he sustained during the attack.
Okafor who hails from Umuisoms village in Nnebugwu Autonomous Community in Oguta Council Area in the petition dated January 6 and tilted “Killing of my son on January Ist by Mr Obinna Obiekea, Nwamaka Obiekea, Eloka and Chidubem Obiekea, he said that his son, 35, Chima Okafor was burnt to death by Obinna Obiekea (Losky) with his wife, Nwamaka Obiekea, sons Eloka and Chidubem Obiekea on January 1st in my hometown.
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He said: “He dragged my son from a Cherubim church where he was attending crossover night Church service, after accusing him of stealing his son’s jean knicker worth N25,000. Together with his sons, they dragged my son to their compound, used weapons disfigured him and set him ablaze, immediately”.
He said: “My son was later rescued and rushed to Congregation Of The Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ hospital at Mgbele in Oguta where he died same day owing to high degree of burn he suffered”.
He disclosed that already the matter has been transfered to state CID with Obinna Obiekea (Losky) and Chidubem Obiekea arrested by the police while Eloka and Nwamaka are at large.
The father of the feceased child urged the CP to use his good offices to ensure that those at large are arrested and justice dispensed in this matter.
Okafor urged the CP, the state governor, President Bola Tinubu, to ensure that justice is served in the matter.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the prime suspect and one of his sons arrested in Oguta has being transferred to the homicide section of the State CID in Owerri for a case of murder that would an autopsy will be conducted by a pathologist.
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