- Death is “serious setback to the fight against the cult menace and crime generally,” says State govt
The image of Anambra State as the most secured State in Nigeria with the early Sunday morning murder of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Azubuike Ekwegbalu.
Ekwegbalu , 43, according to the Anambra State Police Command, was murdered around 1.30am on Sunday at the Commissioner’s quarters in Awka.
Anambra Police Spokesperson, Mohammed Haruna, told journalists in the capital, Awka, that the deceased hailed from Ogbunike, Oyi local government of the State and that the Command was still investigating and would unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Ogbunike is the hometown of the wife of Governor Willie Obiano and Ekwegbalu was a close relation to Chief (Mrs) Eberechukwu Obiano.
He said the corpse had already been deposited at a hospital morgue for autopsy
According to Haruna, “On the 9/8/2020 at about 1:30am,there was a report of alleged murder of one Azuibuike Ekwegbalu ‘m’ aged 43 years native of Ogbunike in Oyi LGA but resident at the Commissioners quarters Awka.
“Following the report, Police detectives attached to B’ Division Awka, led by the DPO CSP Emma Ogbuanya, visited the scene and rushed victim who was found in a pool of his blood to COOUTH Awka for medical attention where he was certified dead by the medical doctor on arrival.”
He said careful observation on the deceased body revealed stab wounds while a blood stained kitchen knife was also recovered as exhibit at the scene.
“Consequently, one suspect who allegedly was in the premises has been arrested and case is under investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident ,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government on Sunday evening formally announced “with great sadness” the death of Mr Ekwegbalu.
According to the statement by C. Don Adinuba, Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, “Mr Ekwegbalu was a thorough, quiet, unassuming, energetic and dedicated security official whose forte was intelligence gathering. To carry out his duties faithfully, effectively and efficiently, he kept a low-profile in the public space throughout the years he was in office as the SSA to the Governor on Security. He was not known to most government officials and declined the use of any paraphernalia that could give him out as an intelligence operative.
“He had in the last few months devoted his infectious energy and acute professional intelligence to monitoring cults in various parts of the state following an increase in the menace of young cult members in educational institutions and elsewhere. The results have been outstanding. Mr Ekwegbalu’s tragic death is a serious setback to the fight against the cult menace and crime generally in the state.
“His death was reported accordingly to Governor Willie Obiano, and he has, in turn, contacted the Azubuike family and commiserated with them.
“The Anambra State Government working with the security agencies will do everything in its power to apprehend those responsible for Mr Ekwegbalu’s death, as we have successfully done over the years in similar deaths. The Government assures all Anambra people, once again, that it will stop at nothing to make the state remain the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria.”