Police Uncover Murder of Missing Man, Friend Confesses to Plot

The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered the circumstances surrounding the murder of a 56-year-old man, Kelechi Madu, in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state, barely two days after he was reported missing by his wife.

Madu's wife had reported him missing on August 18, 2026, after he left home on the evening of August 17 and failed to return.

Following the report, police operatives, working with members of the local vigilante group and the deceased's family, commenced a search and investigation to establish his whereabouts.

Later that evening, the distressed wife returned to the police station with the grim news that her husband had been found dead in a nearby bush at Umuobi, Awkuzu.

In a press statement issued on Friday, the spokesperson for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the prime suspect, 32-year-old Ifeanyi Nwankwo, a friend of the deceased, allegedly confessed to plotting the murder and hiring two other persons to carry out the killing.

Ikenga said investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained money fraudulently from the deceased under the guise of assisting him to acquire a piece of land, and subsequently hired two other persons to murder him in an attempt to conceal the alleged fraudulent transaction and suppress the money.

The statement read: ‘The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of a 56-year old man, Kelechi Madu, in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the State.

‘The revelation followed the arrest of his friend, Mr Ifeanyi Nwankwo, 32 years old, who allegedly confessed to plotting the murder and engaging two others to execute the act.

‘Following the report, on August 18, 2026 from the wife of the deceased that her husband had gone out on the evening of August 17, 2026 and had not returned home, Police operatives, in collaboration with members of the local vigilante group and the deceased's family, immediately commenced inquiries and a search operation to establish his whereabouts.

“In the evening of same day, however, the wife returned to the station in distress and reported that her husband had been found dead in a nearby bush at Umuobi, Awkuzu.

“Police operatives immediately mobilised to the scene, where the deceased was found lying lifeless with a deep axe cut to his head. The corpse was subsequently evacuated and deposited in the hospital for preservation.

“In the course of the investigation, the Command arrested Mr Ifeanyi Nwankwo, a friend of the deceased, who confessed to his involvement in the planning and killing of Mr. Kelechi Madu.

‘Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained money fraudulently from the deceased under the guise of assisting him to acquire a piece of land.

‘In an attempt to conceal the alleged fraudulent transaction and suppress the money obtained from the deceased, the suspect reportedly hired two other persons to murder him.’

According to Ikenga, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has directed that the investigation be intensified to identify and arrest all persons involved in the conspiracy and murder.

‘The Command is determined to ensure that every person connected to the crime is brought to justice.

‘The Command further assures the people of Anambra State that it will continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing and community partnership to prevent violent crimes, unravel criminal activities and ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the law,’ he added.