By Izunna Okafor, Awka
A trigger-happy gunman has been arrested in Anambra State, following the tragedy that struck the Unubi community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the State over the week.
The suspect had reportedly invaded the residence of a teacher couple, Mr. and Mrs. Nwokedi in the community on Tuesday night and gruesomely shot their 15-year-old son, Somtochukwu Nwokedi, after which he also r@ped the sister.
According to reports, the masked assailant, armed with a pump-action gun, scaled the fence of the family’s compound and shot the boy at close range in the chest immediately he sighted him. He then, thereafter, grabbed Somtochukwu’s sister and r@ped her to his satisfaction, after which he escaped through the same route he came.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that the Somto, an SS1 student of Monsignor Memorial Secondary School, Nnewi, had just returned home on Sunday (two days before the incident) to spend the Easter holidays with his parents, who are both teachers in the community. He was also said to be a former student of St. Charles College, Onitsha, and was described by family members as a brilliant and promising child.
The incident has thrown the family into deep mourning and the community into shock, as residents struggle to comprehend the gruesome attack.
“We need justice,” Somto’s elder brother repeatedly said in tears, while also confirmed that the police had been notified and were already investigating the case.
The Councilor representing Unubi Ward, Hon. Nduka Nchidem, also confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with this reporter and further reaffirmed that the police are already on the matter.
Efforts by this reporter to speak with the parents of the deceased is yet to materialize.
However, when contacted on Friday by this reporter, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the unfortunate incident, and further revealed that the suspect had been arrested.
According to him, the suspect, identified as Chidiebere Mbene, is currently in police custody and is undergoing interrogation.
SP Ikenga assured that further information would be communicated as the investigation progresses, while also re-assuring the Command’s commitment to bringing the perpetrator to justice.
