Tragedy as Innocent Ukaeje hacked to death by his cousins Obinna Ozoemena and Chibueze Duru in Imo

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Imo State Police command have commenced investigations into the gruesome murder of 31 year old Innocent Ukaeje cut down by his cousins over a dispute.

Ukaeje and his Cousins, Obinna Ozoemena and Chibueze Duru hailed from Umunchi in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

The father of two had returned home from Lagos for a burial ceremony of another relative before the incident.

Already, the police has declared the alleged culprits, Obinna Ozoemena and Chibueze Duru wanted.

Sources told odogwublog.com that the trio were enmeshed in a heated argument on Friday, after someone ran into Ukaeje's house to seek refuge from Obinna and Chibueze. 

While Ukaeje tried to pacify them by buying time, the duo attacked him with the cutlass in their hands. 

The source who pleaded anonymity for fear of being reprimanded by his kinsmen said "just while we decided the argument was enough and that we should stop them, Obinna and Chibueze drew out cutlasses and in a split second, hacked their cousin on the head mercilessly".

Further, he said " immediately, we rushed Innocent to Ibezim hospital where they referred him to the federal medical centre (FMC) Owerri. He gave up the ghost on Sunday at FMC.

The source lamented "he was only trying to make peace, by protecting another relative who ran to him for protection from the irate men. This is a young man who only returned from Lagos for a burial ceremony. He came back with his family. He was only 31 and had two children".

He explained that while Ozoemena inflicted a deep cut in the head, Duru ripped out Ukaeje's bladder. 

Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Enwerem confirmed the incident adding that the police has commenced a manhunt for the fleeing assailants.

Enwerem said " yes, we are aware, the matter was reported at Isiebu Police Division and we are working round the clock to ensure we bring the culprits to book, and the State Command has taken over the matter "

Further, he disclosed that when the police went to effect arrest, a woman through shouting alerted the culprits, who took to their heels.

Meanwhile, elders of the village were said to have stopped the youths from taking the law into their hands by destroying properties, warning that police has commenced investigations and will nab them soon.