Delta Community, Police Disagree Over Release Of Murder Suspect

The people of Ewulu community, Aniocha South local government area of Delta State have raised an alarm and accused the Delta State Police Command of shielding alleged murder suspect.

Residents are still wondering how police could hurriedly release a suspect accused of murder to roam the streets.

The suspect, Anukwu Emeka, popularly known as “Ikanda,” was alleged to have shot dead one Nwabgoniwe Ezim, was arrested and the second day freed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Asaba.

The community had unanimously resolved to sell portions of its land to raise funds for pressing developmental projects.

Emeka was said to have shot Ezim on September 30, 2024, during a meeting convened by the traditional ruler, Obi S.G. Onyeweuwa, over an alleged land scandal and violent attacks linked to the sale and allocation of community farmland.

Emeka, chairman of the committee saddled with the responsibility of selling the land, was accused of fraudulently inflating the number of plots and selling land far above the quantity approved by the community.

The allegations compelled the monarch to dissolve Emeka’s committee and some youths demanding the refund of #9,000,000 to the community following the irregularities that characterised the entire process and the discovery of the alleged fraud which were allegedly carried out to enrich himself.

During the ensuing altercation at the meeting, Emeka allegedly shot Nwabgoniwe Ezim who died on the spot .

A source who does not want to be mentioned said, “The matter was subsequently reported at Nsukwa Police Station before it was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Asaba, for further investigation.

“One of Emeka’s associates, identified as Chadiji Collins, allegedly shot one Chukwude Anukwu in the leg and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, for treatment.

“Luckily he survived it. The matter was also reported at Nsukwa Police Station before it was transferred to the State CID, Asaba, for further investigation.

“Upon the conclusion of the investigation, Ikanda was arrested on Friday, May 1, and released on Saturday, May 2, a development that raised concerns within the community after Emeka resurfaced a free man following an “order from the office of Inspector General of Police,” he narrated.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, when asked to confirm said he disagreed that the suspect was released, saying investigation on the matter is still ongoing.