SaharaReporters had reported how the deceased kidnapped a young woman, Celine Ndudim and her Ghanaian friend, Abigail Tandor.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an in-depth investigation into the alleged killing of suspected kidnapper, Andrew Ochekwo.
SaharaReporters had reported how the deceased kidnapped a young woman, Celine Ndudim and her Ghanaian friend, Abigail Tandor.
According to family sources, on April 27, Celine and her friend visited Andrew in Aba, Abia State.
However, Abigail had sent a distress message to a family member stating that “they had been kidnapped”.
She later sent a live Google location to one of her family members who quickly alerted Celine’s elder sister, Theresa Ndudim.
Their ordeal began at the Aba Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the state command.
Theresa told SaharaReporters that despite spending a week at the station, spending on hotels and feeding, the Aba police command failed to carry out any meaningful search.
Family sources told SaharaReporters that after arresting Andrew and taking him to Umuahia, the Aba anti-kidnapping commander, Amanchukwu Victor, still found his way to Umuahia.
The source said the Aba police command showed complicity in the issue. She alleged that the police commander in Aba collected money from Andrew after he was arrested.
Andrew was said to have been shot dead en route to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Further Information at the disposal of SaharaReporters showed that the police officers claimed that Andrew tried to escape.
Reacting to this in a statement released by the police authorities on Monday, the Inspector-General of Police directed the Monitoring Unit to conduct a thorough and high-powered investigation into the suspected murder of Ochekwo.
The statement reads: “This directive comes amid the numerous allegations, arguments, and counterarguments surrounding the case, which also involves the disappearance of two ladies, Celine and Afiba after their trip to visit the said Andrew in Aba, Abia State, for which he was alleged to be responsible.
“In light of the public interest and the gravity of the allegations, the IGP has deemed it necessary to institute a meticulous investigation into the roles played by the team which carried out the initial investigation in Abia State, and the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT), to unravel the veritable facts of the matter. The Monitoring Unit has been given a two-week timeframe to complete its investigation and present a comprehensive report.
“The Inspector General of Police assures that this case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity, urging all well-meaning members of the public and all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference. Similarly, all persons/groups with relevant information regarding this case are encouraged to come forward and assist with the investigation, and all such information provided will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality, reach us via email at [email protected], and our social media accounts."