Police Arrest 2 For Murder Of Inspector In Imo

Operatives of the Imo State Police command have arrested two suspects, Olivia Patrick, and ThankGod Maurice, following the murder of an Inspector, Henry Effiong, in Owerri.

Effiong was allegedly discovered beheaded on Monday, at the residence of the Imo State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Chief Rex Anunobi, with his phone and rifle missing.

Police spokesperson for Imo State command, DSP Henry Okoye confirmed the arrest of the suspects in a statement on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso has ordered a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death and arrest of those responsible to face justice.

Further, he directed the investigating team to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.

CP Bosso who said the killing was one of the “painful reminder of the risks and sacrifices police officers face in the discharge of their duties”, has expressed his condolences to the Effiong family.

He assured the late Effiong family that the Command was committed to ensuring that justice is served, adding that the situation was under control and that appropriate security measures were in place to safeguard lives and property across the State.

According to Okoye, 31 years old Oliver Patrick and 25 years old ThankGod Maurice, both male, were arrested at the scene shortly after the incident was reported.

Already, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) alongside the DPO, New Owerri Division, have visited the scene, retrieved and secured the exhibits.

The police statement signed by Okoye read “the Imo State Police Command has arrested two suspects allegedly linked to the murder of a Police Inspector at the residence of the Honourable Commissioner, Imo State Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investment, Hon. Rex Anunobi, on 14th September 2026.

“The suspects, Olivia Patrick, male, aged 31, and ThankGod Mourice, male, aged 25, were arrested at the scene shortly after the incident was reported.

“Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, psc(+), mnips, directed a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

“In compliance with the directive, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) alongside the DPO, New Owerri Division, visited the scene, where necessary examinations were conducted and relevant exhibits recovered and secured. The remains of the deceased Inspector were subsequently deposited at the mortuary.”

The case file has now been transferred to the SCID for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects currently at large.

A source, Chidiebube Okeoma described the killing as scary, adding that the late policeman was beheaded by his killers.

He said, “This is scary. The beheading of an police inspector at residence of a serving commissioner in Imo State and taking away of his service rifle in Owerri, the state capital, on Sunday calls for a serious concern. This shouldn’t be taken for granted. The man who is now at large should be arrested, immediately. He has a lot to offer in unearthing the motives behind this dastardly act.”

Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased Inspector been deposited at the mortuary, while investigations continue.