The Imo State Police Command yesterday paraded a policeman, Corporal Jude Madu, and five others for alleged abduction and killing of a Catholic priest, Rev. Cyriacus Onunkwo.
The cleric was abducted on September 1 by four armed men who operated in a Toyota Avalon car.
The hoodlums were said to have whisked Rev. Onunkwo to a secret place.
The cleric was found dead the next day.
According to the police, other members of the kidnap syndicate are: Izuchukwu Okafor (28), an indigene of Ukwukwa village in Anambra State; Onyema Cyril (29), from Okwelle in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State; Emmanuel Ozuigbo (29), an indigene of Mgbagbuowa in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State; Victor Ikechukwu Iroakanzi (33), from Umuagu in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State and Ifechukwu Nwosu (28), from Ihialla in Anambra State.
The gang, allegedly led by the 32-year-old corporal from Ahiara in Obowo Local Government Area, was allegedly responsible for the killing of a police officer at a new generation bank in Owerri about three months ago.
Parading the suspected gang members with other suspects, Police Commissioner Chris Ezike said: “I am delighted that the police command under my watch has made major breakthroughs in criminal investigation leading to the arrest of dare-devil suspected criminals, recovery of exhibits and dismantling of the various criminal gangs/cells.”
He added: “However, I am pained by the fact that some of the activities of these enemies of society have brought sadness, anxiety and general apprehension to Nigerians, especially with the abduction and murder of Rev. Cyriacus Onunkwo of Umuotuasi village, Osina, in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State on September 1 at Banana Junction in Orlu, Imo State.”
Giving details on the slain priest, Ezike said: “It became a sad moment for the command because of the unusual nature of the incident and the speed with which events unfolded, leading to the death of the priest. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, saddened by the development, ordered a full investigation.
“In compliance with the IGP’s directive, I visited the Bishop of Orlu, His Lordship Bishop Augustine Ukwuoma, the native parish of the deceased reverend, St. Mary’s Parish at Osina and the family of the deceased at Osina. The visit was to express the condolences of the IGP and the command and enable me to build confidence in the investigative journey ahead. It paid off.
“The investigating team, using forensic technology and backed up by hard work, commitment, passion and hunger for success, arrested Corporal Jude Madu, who was in possession of the late Rev. Onunkwo’s Infinix telephone handset.”
The police chief added: “The investigation is continuing because the suspects have made other confessions not related to the case under investigation, which require extensive probing.
“From the evidence available, which is consistent with the investigative thoughts, the reverend father was abducted, tied up, his mouth cello-taped and dumped in the booth of the Avalon car by the hoodlums. He apparently gasped for air and could not make it.”
The police also paraded a five-man robbery/kidnap gang, who were allegedly responsible for the abduction of a popular gospel artist, Prince Chinedu Nwadike, on World Bank Road in Owerri.
The police chief added that the gang allegedly collected N4 million ransom from the victim’s relatives before he was released.