By Patrick Obia
The Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has confirmed the arrest of prime suspect (name not gotten yet) who shot dead a family head, Mr. Adie Ungwugwaye over witchcraft branding in Bebuatswan village in Obudu Local Government Area of the State.
The Command Police Public Relations Officer SP Irene Ugbo confirmed the arrest to CrossRiverWatch when contacted on Tuesday.
SP Irene said the suspect was arrested yesterday afternoon and is being conveyed down to the Command Headquarters, Calabar.
She added that the Police will not rest until other accomplices who have taken to their heels are apprehended.
“They are bringing him to Calabar today. He is the only one who has been arrested, through him other cult members who accompanied him will be arrested also. He was arrested yesterday afternoon,” she disclosed.
The Genesis
One Mr. Richard Unimke was said to have been riding his bike around his neighborhood in Bebuatswan village in Obudu LGA, on July 31, 2023, and collided with a herd of cattle.
He was rushed to the Sacred Heart Catholic Hospital and was discharged after some days. His condition deteriorated on getting home and he was rushed back to the same hospital but he died on Sunday 6th August, 2023.
Some village youths who claim to be representatives of the Ipong Youths Council, led by one Sunday Aniah from neighboring Kakum village, who also claimed to be the Vice President of Ipong Youth Council, hurriedly forced a family meeting of the elders to tell who killed Richard Unimke, diabolically.
At the family meeting, the said youth leaders, shot the family head, Mr. Adie Ungwugwaye, dead and fled.
The suspects however went into hiding.