By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Police Detectives of Anambra State Command have arrested four suspected killers of President General of Umuoji Community Chief Silas Onyima in Idemili North local government area of the state.
The arrest followed the collaborative effort of the police police detectives working with the Umuoji Vigilante outfit.
Police Public Relations Officer,
Anambra State Police Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu disclosed this arrest of the suspects in a statement to Newwnen on Tuesday in Awka the state capital.
Chief Sly Onyima who until his death was the President-General of Umuoji town was murdered in his home on Friday evening last week.
Ikenga said, “Four suspects have been arrested so far, adding that the handset and ATM Card of the deceased was recovered from them.”
According to the command, “In their confession, they named four other accomplices who are now being hunted for by the Police.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, who was away in Ibadan on official assignment for the opening ceremony of the 14th Biennial Police Games rushed back home when the news of the murder broke to coordinate Police effort at unravelling the crime.
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CP Adeoya who commended the Police in Ogidi and Umuoji Vigilante for working together to apprehend the suspected perpetrators has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to deploy its Forensic Team to the scene of the crime and take over the investigation.
He had also mandated the Homicide Team in State CID to apprehend the four accomplices still on the run and unravel the motive behind the gruesome crime.
The Commissioner of Police assured Presidents-General across the State that their safety is of primary concern to the Police as they represent their people in governance by their town Unions.
The State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo had condemned the murder of Chief Sly Onyima by suspected assassins, promising that the perpetrators would face justice.
Soludo in a statement by his Press Secretary Mr. Christian Aburime said he received with deep concern and immense sadness the news of the brutal assassination of Chief Silas Onyima, President-General of Umuoji Community in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, which occurred on Friday night.
He said, “On behalf of the good people of Anambra State, the state government unreservedly condemns this heinous act of unprovoked violence.”
According to the Governor, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Onyima, the Umuoji community, and the entire Idemili North Local Government Area.”
“This senseless killing represents an affront to the peace and security we are collectively working to build in Anambra State, and Governor Soludo has vowed to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to justice. ”
“Governor Soludo has directed the State security agencies to take immediate and decisive action to apprehend the culprits and ensure swift prosecution of those responsible to deter future recurrences,” the statement said.
“Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government remains fully committed to the security of lives and property in the state and will not be deterred by the acts of criminals who seek to disrupt the peace and progress of our land.”
“We call on all Anambra residents to remain calm and law-abiding as we continue to work together with security agencies to keep the perpetrators of violent crimes away from our communities and state.”
