It is the end of the road for a dreaded ritualist and his gang members who reportedly beheaded a police officer in Akwa Ibom state.
A suspect (File photo)
Policemen in Cross River state have arrested a chief priest and seven other suspects for allegedly beheading a police inspector, Michael James, for ritual purposes.
Disclosing details of the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hafiz Inuwa said the deceased was beheaded and taken away for ritual purposes at Uyanga shrine.
The village head of Uyanga, who is also the chief priest of the shrine where the slain head of the inspector was found, Ophot Valentine Ebani and his accomplices were being paraded at the State’s CID by the Police Commissioner, Hafiz Inuwa.
Briefing newsmen, Inuwa explained that the suspects were in custody of the police command until investigations were concluded into the matter. The police boss added that the inspector was killed on last Christmas day Celebration in Uganda, Akamkpa Local Government Area of the State.
Giving the narrative, he said, “One Inspector Michael James attached to SARS in Enugu State was on a visit to his in-law, Retired ASP Dominic Umoh, who reside in Ojor village in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
“When he went out to Uyanga village to buy fuel, some youths from the community came out without provocation, attacked, killed and beheaded him while the corpse is yet to be seen. His severed head was later recovered at Uyanga shrine.
“The youths also seized the late inspector’s AK47 rifle, with double magazines and set his sienna vehicle ablaze with registration number ENU 683 NK. An investigation into the matter led to the arrest of eight suspects and efforts are ongoing to arrest others at large and prosecute them accordingly.”
These other suspects were also being charged and paraded for various crimes ranging from robbery, cult activities, conspiracy and stealing, vandalization of government’s property, unlawful possession of firearms among others.
“The police in collaboration with other security are determined more than ever before surmounting all forms of criminalities, burst criminal hideouts and in return ensure an adherence to law and order in the state,” Inuwa said on Wednesday.