…As victim’s family seeks justice .
The Imo State police command has arrested one Obinna Obiekea,aka Losky and one of his sons, Chidubem Obiekea for allegedly setting ablaze one of his kinsmen, Chima Okafor, on new year day.
The father of the deceased, Mr Uche Okafor, who spoke to journalists in Owerri, Monday after submitting a petition to the state commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, disclosed that his son, 35, was dragged out of a church on December 31,2024 at Nnebukwu autonomous community in Oguta LGA of Imo state while attending a crossover night service and was allegedly set ablaze by the suspects for reportedly stealing a Jean knicker valued twenty five thousand naira,N25, 000.
He further informed that his son was rushed to Congregation Of The Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ hospital at Mgbele in Oguta LGA, where he died following the high degree of the burn he suffered from the attack.
The petition which was dated January 6 and tilted “Killing of my son on January Ist by Mr Obinna Obiekea, Nwamaka Obiekea, Eloka and Chidubem Obiekea” read in part; “My name is Mr Uche Okafor from Umuisoma village in Nnebukwu autonomous community in Oguta LGA. of Imo state.
“My 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.
“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(short) worth N25,000. Together with his sons, they dragged my son to their compound, used weapons disfigured him and set him ablaze, immediately.
“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.
“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.
“I urge you sir to use your good offices to ensure that those at large are arrested and justice dispensed in this matter.”
The father of the deceased while speaking to journalists in an emotional ladden voice, urged the CP, the state Governor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure that justice is served in the matter.
Investigation revealed that the prime suspect and one of his sons had been arrested by the police and are being interrogated by the personnel of the homicide section of the police authorities in Owerri, the state capital.
A source who spoke under anonymity said, ” yes, the prime suspect and one of his sons have been arrested. They were arrested in Oguta and transferred to the homicide section of the State CID in Owerri. It is a case of murder and lot is needed to be done to establish it or otherwise. The operatives will visit the scene of the crime.
“An autopsy will be conducted by a pathologist on the dead with a witness from the suspects present and a report will be compiled before going to court. Without these things you can’t establish a murder case in court.
Meanwhile ,the spokesperson for the Police in the state, SPO Henry Okoye informed that two suspects are in Police net in Owerri.
He informed that the state Commissioner of Police,DanJuma has ordered a thorough investigation into the crime.
