The personal driver of a Pentecostal bishop of End-Reconciliation Ministry in Asaba, Delta State, has been arrested for allegedly killing his employer and fleeing with the victim’s Toyota Prado Jeep.
The suspect, whose identity was withheld due to ongoing investigations, was arrested alongside another suspect in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, while allegedly attempting to sell the vehicle.
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Awka on Wednesday.
According to the CP, the suspect allegedly murdered the cleric before fleeing to Anambra State with the stolen vehicle in a bid to dispose of it.
Orutugu said the arrest followed a swift intelligence-led operation by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, leading to the arrest of the driver and the alleged buyer of the vehicle.
He added that preliminary investigations showed the driver conspired with other criminal elements, who are still at large, to kill the bishop.
The CP said, “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command arrested a domestic staff member allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of his employer, a Pentecostal bishop of End-Reconciliation Ministry in Asaba, Delta State, and the subsequent attempt to dispose of the victim’s Toyota Prado Jeep in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“The breakthrough followed a swift intelligence-led operation by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, who served as the bishop’s driver and domestic staff, allegedly conspired with yet-to-be-identified criminal elements to murder the cleric before fleeing with the victim’s Prado Jeep to Anambra State for sale.
“Police operatives, acting on credible information, tracked and intercepted the suspects in Nkpor, successfully recovered the stolen vehicle, and took them into custody for further interrogation.”
Orutugu said investigations were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang involved in the killing and unravel the full circumstances surrounding the murder.
He advised members of the public to exercise caution when recruiting and managing domestic staff, drivers, and other household employees.
The CP urged employers to properly profile and verify the identities of persons employed in their homes and establishments, while remaining vigilant to suspicious behaviour and activities.
“We assure the public that the command remains committed to proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations, and collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state,” he added.