Imo Police Orders Probe Into Murder Of RCCG Pastor

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, has ordered an investigation into the murder of a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church Of God  (RCCG) in the state, Thompson Onyekwuru.

The 62-year-old cleric was on July 14 allegedly stabbed to death by one Obumneke Omyemechileuzo of Umukoto-Umudibia Nekede in the Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect allegedly stabbed the pastor when the victim had gone to separate a fight between him (suspect) and his wife, favour Onyemechileuzo.

A statement issued by the police spokesperson in the state, Mike Abattam, stated that while the suspect had also died, his wife who sustained injuries is receiving attention at a hospital.

The statement read, “Following a distress call received on July 14, at about 1400 hours, at the Divisional Police Headquarters Nekede Owerri, Imo State, that one Obumneke Onyemechileuzo ” M” age 36 years of Umukoto Umudibia Nekede in Owerri West LGA of Imo state, suspected to be of unsound mind, armed with a kitchen Knife was violently beating his wife, Ogechi favour Onyemechileuzo “F ” age 26 years of the same address over a minor domestic issue.

And that, when a pastor with Redeem Christian Church Owerri, lmo State, Pastor Thompson Onyekwuru ” M ” age 62 years of Umuatum Umukoto Umudibia Nekede in Owerri West LGA Imo State, intervened by stopping him from stabbing his wife, the suspect rushed at him, stabbed him on his back and he fell down unconscious.

“On arrival at the scene, the police team saw the suspect seriously beating his wife, threatening to stab her and ran to prevent him from stabbing his wife. On sighting the police he attempted stabbing one of the officers’ in the neck when he was shot in the leg in self-defence. He fell down and was immediately disarmed.

“The victims and the suspect were then rushed to Rosana Hospital Nekede in Owerri West LGA of Imo state, where the doctor on call, referred the victims to Human Race Hospital Nekede Road, Owerri due to the gravity of the injuries they sustained where the pastor and the suspect were confirmed dead.

“The woman was admitted in the intensive care unit of the hospital and she is responding to treatment. The corpses were later deposited at Agbala Mortuary Agbala in Owerri West LGA of Imo state. The exhibit knife was recovered to the station.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc, has ordered a discreet investigation into the case to unravel the cause of the incident. He then, advised the community to maintain peace, be law-abiding and go about their legitimate businesses pending the outcome of the investigation.”