By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of a 56-year-old man, Kelechi Madu, in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the State, barely two days after he was reported missing by his wife.
The revelation was contained in a press statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
According to the police, the prime suspect, 32-year-old Ifeanyi Nwankwo, who was a friend of the deceased, allegedly confessed to plotting the murder and hiring two other persons to carry out the killing.
Trouble began after the victim’s wife reported him missing on August 18, 2026, when he failed to return home after leaving on the evening of August 17.
Detailing the sequence of events in the statement, Ikenga said, “The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of a 56-year-old man, Kelechi Madu, in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the State.”
He continued, “Following the report, on August 18, 2026 from the wife of the deceased that her husband had gone out on the evening of August 17, 2026 and had not returned home, Police operatives, in collaboration with members of the local vigilante group and the deceased’s family, immediately commenced inquiries and a search operation to establish his whereabouts.”
However, the search took a tragic turn later that day.
“In the evening of same day, however, the wife returned to the station in distress and reported that her husband had been found dead in a nearby bush at Umuobi, Awkuzu,” Ikenga stated.
The police image maker disclosed that officers immediately swung into action upon receiving the report.
“Police operatives immediately mobilised to the scene, where the deceased was found lying lifeless with a deep axe cut to his head. The corpse was subsequently evacuated and deposited in the hospital for preservation,” he noted.
Police investigations quickly tracked down the prime suspect, leading to his arrest and subsequent confession.
“In the course of the investigation, the Command arrested Mr Ifeanyi Nwankwo, a friend of the deceased, who confessed to his involvement in the planning and killing of Mr. Kelechi Madu,” Ikenga revealed.
Explaining the motive behind the cold-blooded crime, the police spokesperson said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained money fraudulently from the deceased under the guise of assisting him to acquire a piece of land.”
He added, “In an attempt to conceal the alleged fraudulent transaction and suppress the money obtained from the deceased, the suspect reportedly hired two other persons to murder him.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has directed that the investigation be intensified to identify and track down all accomplices involved in the crime.
Reassuring the public of the command’s commitment to justice, Ikenga stated, “The Command is determined to ensure that every person connected to the crime is brought to justice.”
“The Command further assures the people of Anambra State that it will continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing and community partnership to prevent violent crimes, unravel criminal activities and ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the law,” he added.
