A suspect, Ebe Maduabuchi, has been arrested in connection with the attack on Amegu-Nkalaha community in Ebonyi State, which resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people and the destruction of 25 houses.
Maduabuchi, a local resident, was reportedly collaborating with the assailants. He was apprehended on Monday, 3rd February, by local security personnel in the neighbouring Eha-Amufu community, according to SaharaReporters.
Despite being subjected to torture, Maduabuchi maintained his innocence in a video clip obtained on Wednesday. However, he did provide names of individuals he claimed were involved in the attack.
The suspect has since been handed over to the police at Ikem Divisional Police Station.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State government has deployed a number of policemen and the state security outfit, “Ebube-Agu,” to Amegu-Nkalaha to ensure maximum security while the investigation continues to unravel those behind the gruesome attack.
It was reported on Monday that at least 16 residents were brutally slaughtered and 25 houses, along with several million naira worth of property, were razed during the attack, which occurred on Sunday morning.
Confirming the arrest, one of the leaders of the affected community, Samuel Edeze, told reporters that the suspect had named individuals he claimed were part of the assailants.
“The suspect, Maduabuchi, was arrested in our neighbouring community. Although we have not received full details, we were told that he claimed that the Fulani herdsmen paid those who led the attack N5 million to share. We don’t know whether that is true, but we understand that the suspect, who has been handed over to Ikem Divisional Police Station, was arrested at a place called ‘Idolugbu.’
“However, after the investigation, we will know who was behind the attack and the role each person played.”
He added, “Meanwhile, the police and the state security outfit, ‘Ebube-Agu,’ have been deployed to our community. They are there now.”
