The operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have arrested a Labour Party (LP) House of Assembly candidate for Ezza North Constituency, Kelechi Nwali, and three others for the murder of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) ward chairman in Ezza North local government area of the state, Peter Nweke.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, made the disclosure via a statement issued on Friday, April 14.

Nweke was murdered in the area during the March 18 Governorship and House Assembly elections in Ebonyi State.

Onovwakpoyeya added that no fewer than 21 persons have been declared wanted in connection with the crime.

The three others arrested were Onyebuchi Chita, Aloke Obinna, and Ifeanyi Nwokpuku.

The police spokesperson stated: “On March 18 Gubernatorial/State House of Assembly Elections, one Peter Nweke ‘m’, PDP Ward Chairman at Ezza North, was killed by unknown gunmen.

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“Sequel to the dastardly act, the Commissioner of Police CP Faleye S. Olaleye, tasked all Police Officers in the Command to fish out all those responsible for the killing.

“Consequently, on March 28, four suspects were arrested in connection with the death of Mr Peter Nweke.

“During the interrogation of the suspects, the first suspect, one Kelechi Nwali ‘m’, a Labour Party (LP) House of Assembly Candidate, Ezza North Constituency, confessed to hiring the assailants who were meant to torture the victim, however, he died in the process.

“According to Nwali, the late Peter Nweke posed a threat to his political ambition, so he contacted one Akwasi ‘M’ of Nnachi Umuezeoka in Ezza North, who spearheaded the torture that eventually resulted in the death of Mr Nweke.

“The second suspect, Onyebuchi Chita of Nkomoro community, confessed to have brought in the killers from Nkomoro into Ogboji community where Peter Nweke was killed.

“The third suspect, Aloke Obinna of Ogboji community, confessed to have given his motorcycle to one Onyebuchi Chita for escape after the incident.

“While Ifeanyi Nwokpuku, fourth suspect of Ogboji community, all in Ezza North, conspired with one Sampson Nweke ‘m’, who pointed Peter Nweke out to the killers.”

Onovwakpoyeya noted that the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Falaye Olaleye, has assured people of the state that all the suspects arrested would be arraigned in court at the end of an investigation, while those at large will be apprehended and brought to justice.

Onovwakpoyeya added that the police commissioner has also reiterated the command’s continuous commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of the people of Ebonyi State.

The Star