The Imo State Police Command has detained a man, Mr. Obinna Obiekea, popularly known as Losky, and his son, Chidubem Obiekea, for allegedly setting their 35-year-old kinsman, Chima Okafor, ablaze over accusations of stealing a pair of jeans worth N25,000.
The incident reportedly occurred during the early hours of New Year’s Day in Nnebugwu autonomous community, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
The deceased, Chima, was dragged out of a Cherubim church where he was attending a crossover service and was assaulted before being set on fire by the suspects.
Narrating the ordeal to newsmen after submitting a petition to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki Danjuma, the victim’s father, Mr. Uche Okafor, said his son was attacked by Obiekea, his wife, Nwamaka, and their sons, Eloka and Chidubem, shortly after midnight.
“My son was attending a crossover service when Obinna and his family accused him of stealing a pair of jeans worth N25,000. They dragged him to their compound, attacked him with weapons, and set him on fire,” Okafor recounted.
Chima was reportedly rescued and rushed to the Congregation of the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Hospital in Mgbele, Oguta, but succumbed to his injuries later that day due to the severe burns he sustained.
The grieving father further appealed to the authorities, including Governor Hope Uzodimma and President Bola Tinubu, to ensure that justice is served in the matter.
In his petition, Mr. Okafor stated, “The suspects, Obinna and his son Chidubem, are in police custody, but Eloka and Nwamaka are still at large. I urge the authorities to apprehend those at large and ensure justice for my son.”
A police source confirmed that the case had been transferred to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Owerri.
“The suspects were arrested in Oguta and transferred to the CID for further investigation. An autopsy will be conducted with witnesses present, and the case file will be prepared for court proceedings,” the source said.
The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, on Tuesday also confirmed the arrest of the two suspects and assured the public that the Commissioner of Police had ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The investigation will leave no stone unturned to ensure justice is served. The police are committed to bringing all those involved to book,” Okoye stated.