Police in Anambra State have arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of 56-year-old Kelechi Madu in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.
The suspects were arrested two days after the case was reported, according to the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, had ordered an intensified investigation to identify and arrest everyone allegedly involved in the planning and killing of Madu.
According to him, the case came to light after Madu’s wife reported on August 18 that her husband had left home the previous evening and had not returned.
Police operatives, working with members of the local vigilante group and the deceased’s family, began a search for him.
Later that day, the woman returned to the police station and reported that her husband had been found dead in a nearby bush at Umuobi, Awkuzu.
Police officers who visited the scene found Madu’s body with a deep axe wound to the head. His remains were taken to a hospital for preservation.
Ikenga said investigators subsequently arrested Ifeanyi Nwankwo, 32, a friend of the deceased, who allegedly confessed to taking part in the planning of the murder.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, showed that Nwankwo allegedly collected money from Madu fraudulently, claiming he would help him acquire a piece of land.
The police said Nwankwo allegedly recruited two other persons to kill Madu in an attempt to conceal the transaction and prevent him from recovering the money.
The Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the murder and identify all those involved.
The police assured that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted.
