The Imo State Police Command has paraded the two suspects arrested in connection with the horrific murder of their coworker, Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu, a cashier at a gas station in Owerri, Imo State.

Nwachukwu’s body was allegedly buried in a shallow grave on the grounds of the gas plant after she was allegedly murdered by her employees, as reported earlier by Totorireporters

In an alleged attempt to steal money from the business, the suspects, including the manager, killed the victim.

A shovel and a cutlass thought to be the murder tools used to kill the victim were found in the shallow grave, according to command spokesperson CSP Michael Abattam, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, November 7, 2022.

 

According to the PPRO, two suspects are being questioned in connection with the brutal killing of Miss Nwachukwu, while two others are on the run.

The statement reads:

“Following a case of Missing Person reported on 24/10/2022 by the family of young woman, Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu aged 36yrs who left home for work at HALIM 633 SYNERGY COOKING GAS STATION, Toronto/Road Safety by MCC Road Owerri, Imo State and never returned home.

“After a futile search, the family decided to complain to the Commissioner of Police through a petition written by one Pastor Mrs. Precious Abara. On receipt of the petition, it was immediately referred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) for discreet investigation. Detectives from the FORENSIC SECTION were detailed to investigate in conjunction with a team of CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATORS (CSIs) led by Inspector Obele Fredrick.

“The investigating team, on 26/10/2022 at about 1200 hours left the Police Headquarters to the scene of the crime on the investigation, armed with Forensic Equipment. On arrival, preliminary investigation revealed that Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu who doubles as the Secretary/Cashier of the Gas Plant takes the weekly money sales to the bank on Tuesdays and manages the day-to-day running of the company because the owner who resides abroad entrusts the business in her care.

“These unfolding revelations gave the team of detectives insight into the puzzle surrounding the disappearance of the lady and a thorough search was made in the premises of the entire gas station for clues.

“Unfortunately, nothing incriminating was discovered hence they moved to the back of the COOKING GAS STATION. In the course of the search, a blood stain was observed on the wall of the fence. This made the team suspect foul play hence, they carefully and professionally traced the blood stain to an area where dried grasses were packed deceptively with two heavy stones placed on them to create an impression that nothing has been done around the area for a long time.

“But, the operatives were not fooled. They removed the heavy stones, and the grasses and gently drugged out the earth, alas an offensive stench oozed out. Excitedly, they dug further only to discover it was a shallow grave. Inside was a shovel and a cutlass and the decomposing body of Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu.

“Consequently, the corpse was exhumed, and the shovel and cutlass were recovered to the Station. Hypothetically, it is reasonably suspected that the two items recovered in the shallow grave are the murder weapons used in killing the victim.

“The corpse was later evacuated and deposited at Federal Medical Centre mortuary for autopsy.

“Two suspects have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation for the gruesome murder of Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu while two others are on the run.

“The police operatives are not relenting in their search for the fleeing suspects and within the shortest possible time, they will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement concluded.