Gunmen have tragically killed Inspector Augustine Ukegbu, a police officer in Imo State, Nigeria, while he was home with his family to celebrate Easter. The incident occurred in his village, Umuoshike Ogbor, in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state. According to police sources, Inspector Ukegbu, who served at the Orji police divisional headquarters, was abducted from his home by gunmen riding in a Lexus jeep around 11 pm on April 8th.
The abduction was reported to the Oke Ovoro police Division, and the abandoned Lexus jeep was later found along the Mbutu Road in Aboh Mbaise. A search by police led to the discovery of Inspector Ukegbu’s lifeless body in a bush near Mbutu. His corpse has been deposited in a local mortuary by police operatives, and the Lexus jeep has been recovered by his colleagues.
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A source, who had seen Inspector Ukegbu in Owerri on the day he was traveling to his village, expressed shock and sadness over his death. The source revealed that Inspector Ukegbu had informed him about his plans to celebrate Easter with his family in Mbaise and had exchanged pleasantries before departing. Inspector Ukegbu had previously served at the police headquarters in Owerri and was an operative of the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Department.
The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed that the command has initiated an investigation into the kidnapping and killing of Inspector Ukegbu. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community and is a stark reminder of the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
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The loss of Inspector Ukegbu is a painful reminder of the urgent need to address the security situation in Imo State and Nigeria as a whole. The police and relevant authorities must work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice and ensure that such senseless acts of violence against law enforcement officers and innocent citizens are prevented in the future. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Inspector Ukegbu’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
