The police have sealed the shops of five ‘principal suspects’ alleged to have masterminded the killing of Igwe Stephen Nwatu, the traditional ruler of Ogbozinne Akpugo, a community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. 

The royal father, who was accused of ‘tyranny’ by his subjects, was beaten to death by a mob on June 11.

Our correspondent learnt that the sealed shops are located in the Alaba International Market, Lagos. 

It was equally gathered that, until his death, the Igwe was at loggerheads with members of the community’s town union, most of whom are Lagos-based businessmen with shops in the Alaba International Market.

The bank accounts of the suspects were also frozen by the police. 

Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mohammed Danmallam, who confirmed the development while addressing journalists on Thursday, said the move was part of ‘strategies’ adopted by the police towards apprehending three of the principal suspects, who were currently at large.

“We have sealed their shops and frozen their bank accounts. 

“It is one of the strategies we are using to catch them (suspects). We will not allow anybody to commit murder and go scot-free,” the Enugu police chief said, adding that two of the ‘principal suspects’ are already in detention. 

Danmallam further disclosed that the police was on the trail of the fleeing suspects, including one Chijioke Okenwa, the alleged leader of the group accused of killing the traditional ruler.

Okenwa, the late Igwe’s main adversary, was declared wanted over the killing on June 13.

But he is yet to be arrested, as his whereabouts remain unknown.

“About five people spearheaded the killing of the Igwe – two have been arrested while three are on the run and we have already declared them wanted. 

“We are calling on members of the public to provide useful information towards the arrest of these suspects who are at large,” the commissioner of police said. 

In this article: