The Imo State Police Command has apprehended 40-year-old Uchenna Okpara for allegedly stabbing his in-law, Uchenna Unakalamba, to death during an altercation involving their children.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Imo State, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday in Owerri.
According to the statement, the tragic incident occurred on January 16, 2025, in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
Okpara allegedly attacked Unakalamba with a broken bottle after a disagreement between their children escalated into a heated argument.
“The anti-kidnapping unit operatives arrested the suspect, Uchenna Okpara, on January 16, 2025, for allegedly stabbing his in-law, Uchenna Unakalamba, to death.
The altercation, which began as a minor dispute between their children, turned fatal when Okpara used a broken bottle to attack the victim,” Okoye said.
Police officers, responding to a distress call, apprehended the suspect and recovered the weapon used in the attack.
Okoye added that the victim was confirmed dead at the hospital, and his body had been deposited in the morgue.
“The suspect is currently in custody as investigations continue. He will be prosecuted once the investigation is concluded,” the police spokesperson noted.
Kidnap Syndicate
In a related development, the Imo Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a notorious kidnap syndicate, Ozioma Dike, during an operation in a forest near Agwa, Oguta Local Government Area.
Okoye stated that on January 16, 2025, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit acted on credible intelligence and raided the hideout of the syndicate.
The operation led to a gunfight, during which Dike was arrested while other gang members escaped into the bushes.
Recovered from the suspect was a pump-action rifle loaded with seven live rounds of ammunition and an iPhone belonging to a victim kidnapped on January 8, 2025, in Ubomiri.
During interrogation, Dike confessed to being part of a group responsible for multiple kidnappings in the Ubomiri, Ogbaku, and Ohii communities in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
Okoye assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.
“The arrested suspect remains in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he added.
The Police Command reiterated its commitment to eradicating criminal activities in the state, with the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, pledging to sustain peace and ensure the safety of residents across Imo State.