The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a domestic staff member and another suspect over the alleged murder of Bishop Clarence Chinedu Okonkwo, founder of End-Time Reconciliation Ministry, who was reportedly killed in his residence in Ibusa, near Asaba, Delta State.
The victim was allegedly murdered on Tuesday by his driver, identified as Uchenna Nicholas Obiagwu, who reportedly attacked the cleric with a pestle before fleeing with his Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep and mobile phones.
Police investigations revealed that the suspect escaped to Anambra State, where he allegedly planned to sell the stolen vehicle for N10 million.
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, acting on intelligence, tracked and arrested the suspect alongside another individual in Onitsha on Wednesday morning while they were reportedly attempting to dispose of the vehicle.
The stolen Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep was recovered during the operation.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, preliminary findings showed that the driver allegedly conspired with other fleeing suspects to carry out the attack before escaping from Delta State.
The police said investigations were ongoing to arrest other members of the criminal gang and uncover the full circumstances surrounding the killing.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, urged residents to exercise caution in the recruitment and management of domestic staff, drivers and other household workers.
He advised employers to properly profile and verify the identities of individuals engaged in their homes and establishments, while remaining alert to suspicious behaviour.
The commissioner also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security agencies to protect lives and property across the state.