The Imo State Police Command has arrested Obinna Obiekea, popularly known as Losky, and one of his sons, Chidubem Obiekea, for allegedly setting ablaze one of their kinsmen, Chima Okafor, whom they accused of stealing a pair of jeans said to be worth N25,000 on New Year’s Day.
The father of the deceased, Mr. Uche Okafor, spoke to journalists in Owerri after submitting a petition to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma.
He disclosed that his son was dragged out of a church on December 31, at Nnebugwu Autonomous Community in Oguta LGA of Imo State, where he was attending a crossover night service.
The petition, dated January 6 and titled “Killing of my son on January 1st by Mr. Obinna Obiekea, Nwamaka Obiekea, Eloka and Chidubem Obiekea,” read: “My son, Chima Okafor, 35, was burnt to death by Obinna Obiekea (Losky), his wife Nwamaka Obiekea, and his sons Eloka and Chidubem Obiekea on January 1st in my hometown.”
The father of the deceased narrated that his son was dragged by his suspected killers from a Cherubim church where he was attending a crossover night service after being accused of stealing their son’s pair of jeans worth N25,000.
“Together with his sons, they dragged my son to their compound, used weapons to disfigure him, and set him ablaze immediately. My son was later rescued and rushed to the Congregation of the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Hospital in Mgbele, Oguta, where he died the same day due to the high degree of burns he suffered,” he narrated.
Okafor further explained that the matter has been transferred to the State CID, with Obinna Obiekea (Losky) and Chidubem Obiekea arrested by the police, while Eloka and Nwamaka remain at large.
“I urge you, sir, to use your good offices to ensure that those at large are arrested and justice is dispensed in this matter,” he pleaded.
He also appealed to the Commissioner of Police, the state governor, and President Bola Tinubu to ensure that justice is served.
An investigation by DAILY POST revealed that the prime suspect and one of his sons had been arrested by the police and were being interrogated by personnel of the Homicide Section in Owerri, the state capital.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, confirmed that two suspects were in custody in Owerri.
He added that the State Commissioner of Police had ordered a thorough investigation into the crime.