Owerri residents went into a spontaneous frenzy Thursday, when Imo State Police Command moved the lifeless body of the dreaded serial killer, Henry Chibueze, alias Vampire, round the major streets of the municipality.
Traffic was held up for hours, at several points in Owerri, as the police convoy glided through the ever busy Bank Road, Douglas Road, Wetheral Road and back to the State Police Headquarters.
The show attracted a large crowd to the police premises, including some doubting Thomases, who were interested in knowing if Vampire was truly dead.
Police parade body of killed notorious robber, Vampire and his arrested gang
Some residents, who spoke to Vanguard, commended the police and the other security agencies for not only going after the fleeing Vampire, but also silenced him for life and captured his acolytes.
Reacting to what he called “this cheering news”, an Owerri based architect, Chief Amaugo Ugorji, commended the security agencies for “completing this wonderful operation in record time and for the good of the citizenry”.
Ugorji reasoned that it would have been better to capture him alive, so as to get more information from the deadly hoodlum, adding that the police should ensure that they extract as much information from Vampire’s acolytes as possible.
Police parade body of killed notorious robber, Vampire and his arrested gang
“This may ultimately lead to the arrest of other criminals who are presently hiding in several states”, Ugorji said. A woman, who also spoke to Vanguard said: “You killed my relatives. Look at you now (pointing at Vampire’s lifeless body). You will go to hell fire”, the woman said and left the scene. Another young man suggested that the police high command should promote all its personnel that took part in the operation.
“That is one sure way to embolden and encourage others to serve diligently, patriotically and selflessly. To some extent, we can now have a good sleep”, the young man said.
Parading Vampire’s partners in crime later, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, gave the name of the serial killer’s second in command as Obinna Ellah (26), a native of Orlu local government area of Imo State.
Others included Arinze Abecheta (24), Chukwuebuka Ikeazota (23), natives of Okohia, Isiala Mbano local council area of Imo State, Samuel Ugochukwu (24), from Arochukwu local government area of Abia State and Clifford Aheana, a native of Omu Away, Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State.
Police parade body of killed notorious robber, Vampire and his arrested gang
Moshood also disclosed that the exhibits recovered from the suspects included five AK 47 assault rifles, 300 rounds of AK 47 ammunition and charms recovered from the body of the deceased leader of the gang.
“If you recall, Vampire was rescued by his colleagues in crime at the Owerri High Court premises.
The special forces from the Inspector General of Police, tracked him down to a village in the forest, in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State”, Moshood said.
Police parade body of killed notorious robber, Vampire and his arrested gang
According to the Force PRO, “on sighting the police, they opened fire on the special forces and exchange of gunfire ensued”.
Continuing, Moshood said that “Vampire was gunned down in the process”, and went ahead to chronicle some of the deadly acts of the hoodlum.
“He (Vampire) had earlier confessed to the murder of his girlfriend, Sandra, and eight members of her family, among them, six children in Lagos State. He alleged that his girlfriend stole his N45 million, share of N110 million ransom paid by the family of one of his victims in Omoku, Rivers State”, the Force PRO recalled.
Vampire was also described as “a serial killer, who also confessed to have killed over 200 in various kidnappings and armed robbery attacks”
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