Imo State has been thrown into mourning as unknown gunmen killed Inspector Augustine Ukegbu at his hometown in Umuoshike Ogbor, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area.
The police inspector was reportedly visiting his family to celebrate Easter when he was abducted from his home and taken to an unknown location before his lifeless body was found in the village.
According to a security source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the gunmen arrived in a Lexus jeep around 11 pm on April 8 and kidnapped Ukegbu from his house in the village.
The police were alerted, and the jeep was later found abandoned along the Mbutu Road in Aboh Mbaise.
After searching the surrounding bush, the inspector’s corpse was discovered.
The slain inspector was serving at the Orji police divisional headquarters and had previously served at the headquarters in Owerri.
He was an operative of the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) department.
Speaking on the incident, the spokesperson for the state police command, Henry Okoye, confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the kidnap and killing of the inspector.
He also urged the public to assist the police in providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits.
A witness who had seen the inspector in Owerri on the day he was travelling to his village described him as a dedicated officer.
The witness expressed sadness over the death of the inspector, stating that he was a good man who had served his country well.
