The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has said that eight persons suspected to be in connection with the murder of the late lawmaker who represented Aguata Constituency II, Okechukwu Okoye, have been arrested.

Soludo stated this during a holy mass held in honour of the lawmaker at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Isuofia, on Thursday.

Okoye was kidnapped on May 15, 2022, while returning from an outing, together with his aide, Cyril Chiegboka and both of them were subsequently murdered six days after.

The governor assured that his government will not rest on its oars until all the criminals involved in the gruesome murder of the lawmaker were brought to face justice.

He also expressed his solidarity with all the victims of criminality in the state and reassured them that every criminal will surely face justice.

While consoling the immediate family and the members of the legislative arm, Soludo re-emphasised that justice must take its full course on the murder case.

He called on communities in the state to intensify support for the government in its fight against criminality by flushing out the bad eggs among them.

He said, “These people are not ‘unknown gunmen’. They live among our people, some of them have families and operate from various communities. We need you to help us identify them so that they can face justice.

“The gunmen came with their strange religion, but there is no relationship between light and darkness. Their gods drink blood, but ours doesn’t, that’s why we need to fight them together.”

The governor also stated that the state House of Assembly had already written to the Independent National Electoral Commission informing the vacuum that exists in the constituency, as a result of Okoye’s death.

He pointed out that soon a by-election will be conducted to complete his tenure, promising that every entitlement due to the late lawmaker will be paid to the family he left behind.

Cardinal nominee and Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Okpalaeke, presided over the mass celebration.

In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, members of the state House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Uche Okafor and the Deputy Speaker, Paschal Agbodike; traditional ruler of Isuofia, Col. Aloysius Muoghalu and others.