Police detectives of the Imo State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department have nabbed a self-proclaimed prophet, Osinachi Makuo (34) of Ehime Mbano Local Government Area (LGA), Imo State for the alleged attempted murder.
The police also arrested one Mrs. Nwabueze Maria (50) of Umuekwe Mgbidi in Oru West LGA, Imo State for allegedly conspiring with Makuo to commit the offence.
According to the police the duo conspired to abduct and cause grievous bodily harm to and also attempted to murder the only son of Maria’s ex-husband.
The arrest followed a petition of conspiracy, abduction, attempted murder/grievous bodily harm written to the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, by one Ike Ezenyi of Umuehi Mgbidi in Oru West, the father of the victim, Ikenga Ezenyi ‘m’ aged 24yrs against the suspects.
Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, Owerri on Saturday, Police Commissioner (CP) Ahmed Barde said on receipt of the petition he promptly ordered a comprehensive investigation of the matter.
“The intelligent and curious detectives quickly swung into action and apprehended the suspects while the cohorts of the self–styled prophet are still at large,” he said.
According to him, an investigation revealed that both suspects allegedly conspired and abducted Ikenga Ezenyi, took him to a Holy Sabbath Mission at Uzunamu Mgbidi in Orlu L.G.A for prayers and deliverance where both of his hands were tied to a tree for three days and his feet chained.
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“The suspects equally tortured the victim severely in the most inhuman conditions till both of his palms were swollen, rotten and flesh ruptured before he was rescued by his father and youth of Uzunamu Community and taken to the hospital for treatment,” he said.
The victim’s hands were said to have been subsequently amputated at the hospital to save his life.
The CP said the suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.
The police boss cautioned Imo residents to be mindful of criminals who operate in disguise as prophets, prophetesses, prayer warriors, and healing homes to commit heinous crimes.
Barde also vowed to uncover all crimes of similar nature in the state; he equally encouraged residents not to hesitate in reporting abnormalities of similar nature and all other kinds of crimes to the police