TRADITIONAL RULER, 19 OTHERS ARRESTED OVER COP'S MURDER IN ABA

A traditional ruler (name withheld) was among 20 persons arrested yesterday by the police in connection with the murder of a mobile policeman in Aba, Abia State.

The policeman (name withheld), who was said to have only last week came back from inspectors course, on Sunday night received a phone call from someone reported to be his friend at Alaoji, near Aba.

The policeman then excused himself from his colleagues to see his supposed friend. But after a while he did not return, his colleagues called his line to know why it had taken him time to come back.

However, to his colleagues consternation, a voice from the other end told them the policeman had been murdered. Initially they thought it was a joke and on heading towards the direction where the slain policeman went, they found him dead.

Daily Sun gathered that the traditional ruler was arrested for holding a meeting in his palace with a key suspect, who is also his brother, shortly after the incident. Mr. Rabiu Dayi, Area Police Commander of Aba, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects were already helping the police in their investigations.'The traditional ruler is being detained to produce his brother, a key suspect who is at large and he has promised to produce him today (Wednesday).'

Narrating how the policeman met his untimely death, Dayi said: 'The deceased received a phone call from a friend at about 8.40 p.m on Sunday night. He then took excuse from his colleagues to buy medicine and after a while he did not return.'When they started looking for him, they called his phone number, someone picked it and said the owner is dead then switched off.'

He stated that the body was later found near the friend's house.