Asaba, Delta State — In a chilling turn of events, the Delta State Police Command, in collaboration with the state government, has recovered the decomposed body of Engineer Chigozie Udalu, who was gruesomely murdered by individuals suspected to be casual site workers.
Udalu, who was contracted to supervise a construction project in Akwukwu-Igbo, Oshimili North Local Government Area, had been missing since December 2024. After weeks of silence and rising concern from the victim’s family, his remains were recently exhumed from a shallow grave hidden on a nearby farm.
Confirming the breakthrough, police authorities disclosed that two suspects, believed to be Tiv youths from Benue State, have been apprehended in connection with the murder. The investigation also points to financial disputes and a potential motive to rob the engineer.
“The suspects claimed they were being owed by the engineer and were allegedly angered by his repeated verbal confrontations,” a police source revealed. “Initially, they plotted to attack him with a plank but later strangled him using a rope from behind.”
According to police accounts, the suspects proceeded to conceal the body, stole the deceased’s phone, and attempted to siphon funds through his mobile banking applications. Disturbingly, they reportedly completed the remaining construction work after committing the crime.
Complicating the matter further, the landlord of the site was also drawn into the investigation over allegations of ritual involvement. In a bid to prove his innocence, he was taken to local shrines to swear an oath before the engineer’s relatives.
Recounting his efforts to pursue justice, the landlord described several setbacks with the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba. However, upon meeting Ekpan DPO, CSP Aliyu Shaba, new momentum was gained. The DPO’s swift deployment of advanced tracking and interrogation methods led to the identification and arrest of two suspects, one of whom ultimately confessed and directed authorities to the crime scene.
“Another individual who had previously issued open threats to the victim was arrested and handed over to SCID, further reinforcing the case,” the source added.
Out of four individuals detained, two are considered key perpetrators, while efforts are ongoing to locate additional suspects still on the run.
Speaking on the case, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the developments, assuring that the Command remains resolute in bringing all involved to justice.
“We are fully on top of the investigation and committed to arresting everyone connected to this heinous act,” Edafe stated.
By Taiwo Olatinwo | April 5, 2025
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