Unrest is mounting in Umuka community, Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following the alleged murder of a young woman and claims that the main suspect is being protected by a top security official.
The victim was reportedly last seen in the company of a local youth, identified as Chichebem Okorie Ogudu, who was supposed to escort her to the police station after she was allegedly caught attempting to abduct a child during a burial ceremony on April 28, 2025.
According to a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, and signed by the Village Chief and legal representatives of the community (Igwenyi & Igwenyi), the suspect is allegedly walking freely due to intervention from a relative serving in the Department of State Services (DSS).
The petition, dated June 12, 2025, described Umuka as a peaceful and law-abiding community led by respected individuals such as Chief Irem Okorie, a retired school principal, and Dr. Barr. Emenike Okorie, a retired staff member of Chevron Nigeria.
Trouble reportedly began during the funeral of Late Aju Nwokorie Aja, when a woman was caught attempting to leave the venue with a sleeping child. Community members raised an alarm, and the matter was promptly deescalated by the village chief, who insisted she be taken to the police for questioning.
Chichebem, in the presence of community leaders, including the ward councillor and women’s leader, volunteered to escort the woman to Okposi Police Station. However, by the next morning, a lifeless female body was discovered at Eke Okposi Motor Park, and Chichebem failed to report back to the community or confirm the woman’s arrival at the police station.
Days later, Chichebem was reportedly compelled to appear before police authorities in Obiozara, where he was detained and allegedly made a useful statement implicating others. The case was then transferred to the State CID in Abakaliki for further investigation.
Shockingly, community members allege that the case took a suspicious turn after a senior DSS officer, said to be a cousin of the suspect, intervened. According to the petition, Chichebem’s name was subsequently removed from the case file, raising concerns about deliberate obstruction of justice.
Meanwhile, two individuals named as accomplices, Maduabuchi John Ori and Eze Chidi Eze, have been remanded at the Correctional Service Centre in Abakaliki, while the alleged prime suspect, Chichebem, is reportedly moving about freely in the community.
“The community is boiling over what we see as an obvious injustice,” the petition reads. “A murder suspect is roaming freely because of his connection to a high-ranking DSS officer, while others without such ties remain behind bars.”
The petition concludes with a passionate call for justice:“We urge the Commissioner of Police to order the immediate arrest and prosecution of Chichebem Okorie Ogudu for the murder of the woman, whose blood cries out for justice.”
As of the time of this report, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State has not issued any official statement regarding the matter.
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