The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has directed the Monitoring Unit to conduct a thorough and high-powered investigation into the suspected murder of one Andrew Ochekwo.
The police boss, in a statement by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, assured Nigerians that the police would unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Ochekwo.
According to Egbetokun, the monitoring unit has been given a two-week timeframe to complete its investigation and present a comprehensive report on the case.
The statement read, “This directive comes amid the numerous allegations, arguments, and counterarguments surrounding the case, which also involves the disappearance of two ladies, Celine and Afiba after their trip to visit the said Andrew in Aba, Abia State, for which he was alleged to be responsible.
“In light of the public interest and the gravity of the allegations, the IGP has deemed it necessary to institute a meticulous investigation into the roles played by the team which carried out the initial investigation in Abia State, and the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team, to unravel the veritable facts of the matter. The Monitoring Unit has been given a two-week timeframe to complete its investigation and present a comprehensive report.
“The Inspector General of Police assures that this case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity, urging all well-meaning members of the public and all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference. Similarly, all persons/groups with relevant information regarding this case are encouraged to come forward and assist with the investigation, and all such information provided will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality, reach us via email at [email protected], and our social media accounts.”
The PUNCH had earlier reported how the two ladies, Celine and Afiba went missing after their trip to visit Ochekwo in Aba, Abia State. The now-deceased man was based in the Ogbor Hill area of Aba.
After the ladies went missing, Ochekwo was subsequently arrested by the Aba Police Divisional Headquarters for being in possession of ‘women’s belongings’.
Despite the evidence suggesting the women had visited him, Ochekwo reportedly refused to confess to any wrongdoing.
After the incident, Human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who brought the situation to light through a series of Facebook posts, said numerous other women came forward with testimonies, claiming that Ochekwo had previously kidnapped and attempted to murder them before they managed to escape.
The severity of the case led to its transfer from Aba to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Abia State Police Command in Umuahia, and eventually to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
This move came after an unidentified individual petitioned the IG, alleging that Ochekwo was living in relative comfort while in custody.
The situation took a grim turn when Gwamnishu revealed in another post that Ochekwo had been killed while being transported by policemen from Abia to Abuja.
