The Imo State Police Command has arrested three suspects found in possession of a human skull at Ogii Community in Okigwe Local Government Area. The arrest, made on Monday, February 3, followed a tip-off from local residents.
Spokesperson for the command, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the arrest of the suspects, identified as Patrick Okoere (29), Ifeanyichukwu Anyaemeka (28), and Chukwuemeka Onyekachi (20), all natives of Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to police investigations, the suspects claimed that one Osunta Oko, an uncle to Patrick, had instructed them to procure a human skull for use in a land dispute.
“As part of the Imo State Police Command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, operatives of the Okigwe Divisional Headquarters, in collaboration with Ogii community members, arrested three suspects in possession of a human skull, a native hen, and white garments along the Okigwe-Umuahia Express Road,” the police statement read.
During interrogation, Patrick alleged that he and his accomplices retrieved the skull from a riverbank along the Okigwe-Umuahia Expressway, an area notorious for kidnappings and missing persons cases.
DSP Okoye further revealed that the police have launched a manhunt for Osunta Oko, the alleged mastermind behind the act.
“The Imo State Police Command is actively pursuing Osunta Oko and other possible accomplices connected to this disturbing incident. A Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test will also be conducted to determine the identity of the deceased individual whose skull was recovered,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has assured the public that justice will be served.
“We remain committed to ensuring the safety of all residents. The suspects will be prosecuted once investigations are concluded, and updates will be provided as the case progresses,” Okoye assured.
Reports indicate that the Okigwe-Umuahia Expressway has been plagued by criminal activities, with several cases of kidnappings and missing persons in recent times. Some communities in Okigwe have reportedly been deserted due to the worsening security situation.
