The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man, Ifeanyi Nwankwo, over the alleged murder of his 56-year-old friend, Kelechi Madu, in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
The police said preliminary investigation indicated that Nwankwo allegedly defrauded the deceased in a fraudulent land transaction before reportedly arranging his murder to conceal the deal.
The command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the investigation began after Madu was reported missing.
According to Ikenga, the deceased’s wife reported to the police on August 18 that her husband had left home on the evening of August 17 and failed to return.
The police, working with members of a local vigilante group and the deceased’s family, subsequently launched a search operation to locate him.
However, the search took a tragic turn when the woman returned to the police station later that day and reported that her husband had been found dead in a bush at Umuobi, Awkuzu.
Police operatives were immediately deployed to the location, where Madu was found lying lifeless with a deep cut to his head allegedly inflicted by an axe.
As investigators intensified efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing, Nwankwo, a friend of the deceased, was arrested.
The police spokesman said the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in the planning of the murder and implicated two other persons.
Ikenga said preliminary findings indicated that Nwankwo allegedly collected money from Madu after claiming he could help him secure a parcel of land.
He added that the suspect allegedly recruited the other two individuals to eliminate Madu in an attempt to cover up the fraudulent transaction and prevent the recovery of the money.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has ordered the investigation to be expanded to identify and apprehend all those allegedly involved in the conspiracy and murder.
The command said it was determined to ensure that everyone found to have participated in the crime would be brought to justice.
The police also assured residents of continued intelligence-led operations and collaboration with communities to curb violent crimes, investigate criminal activities and bring suspected offenders to justice.