IMO State Commissioner of Police speaks on the murder of Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo

We’ll apprehend killers of Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo – Imo CP ON SEPTEMBER 5, 20172:02 PMIN NEWSCOMMENTS The Imo State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Chris Ezike, has said that the command is  determined to apprehend the murderers of Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo.
The CP told newsmen on Tuesday that the police had begun their investigations which would eventually unmask the culprits. Newsmen report that some suspected kidnappers abducted the priest at a popular Banana junction in Orlu Local Government Area of the state on Friday .
Onunkwo was a priest in one of the Catholic dioceses in the state before he was murdered by yet-to-be-identified murderers last week. The police during their search later discovered his corpse in Orsu Local Government Area where it was abandoned. The commissioner of police described the incident as “inhuman and aberration” to human existence. “How can anybody think of kidnapping or murdering a priest who is ordained to serve God? “I am very optimistic that we will soon apprehend the culprits and bring them to book; this is my assurance to the Imo State Government, the family of the victim and the general public”, he said. Meanwhile, Gov. Rochas Okorocha on Tuesday described the murder of Onunkwo as “senseless and wickedness”. The governor’s reaction is contained in a statement issued to newsmen by Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS). The governor said that the kidnappers would have to pay for their evil act. The governor also directed the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike, to leave no stone unturned in tracking those behind the abduction and killing of the priest.

Bishop of Orlu, family of slain Catholic Priest, Cyriacus Onunkwo demand justice
The Bishop of Orlu Catholic Diocese, family members and friends of slain Catholic Priest, Cyriacus Onunkwo, have called on security operatives and the state government to ensure that perpetrators of the crime were quickly apprehended and brought to justice.

Reverend Father Onunkwo was reportedly kidnapped on Friday in Orlu Local Government Area.

His body was found the following morning in Omumma community in Oru East Local Government Area of the state. He was said to have arrived from Lagos on Thursday in preparation for the burial of his father who died the previous week.

Channels Television reports that the Bishop of Orlu Catholic Diocese Augustine Okwuoma described the murder as pathetic and unbelievable.

Bishop Okwuoma said Father Onunkwo was amiable and loyal in his duties “which was why I sent him to Rome to further his studies and later on assignment in Lagos Catholic Diocese”.

The bishop tasked security operatives with effective policing and called for the creation employment opportunities for youths to deter them from engaging in criminal activities.

It also reported that at his country home in Umuotuasi village in Osina Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, some family members could not hold back their tears after receiving the sad news.

Similarly, Fr. Onunkwo’s friends in Orlu where the priest was ordained described him as a good man loved by all.

Meanwhile, the Imo State commissioner of police says the police were doing everything possible to unravel the mystery behind the killings, especially as the Inspector General of Police has ordered a full investigation into the gruesome murder