A personal driver of a Pentecostal bishop of End-Reconciliation Ministry in Asaba, Delta State, has been arrested for allegedly killing his employer and fleeing with his vehicle, a Toyota Prado Jeep.

The driver, whose identity has yet to be disclosed due to ongoing investigations, was arrested alongside another suspect in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, while attempting to sell the vehicle.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Awka, on Wednesday, adding that the suspect murdered the cleric before fleeing with his vehicle to Anambra to sell.

Orutugu said the arrest followed a swift intelligence-led operation by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.

He said the driver conspired with some criminal elements still at large, to kill his employer, adding that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang involved in the incident and fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate murder.

He said, “The operatives of the Anambra State Police Command arrested a domestic staff member allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of his employer, a Pentecostal Bishop of End-Reconciliation Ministry in Asaba, Delta State, and the subsequent attempt to dispose of the victim’s Toyota Prado Jeep in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“The breakthrough followed a swift intelligence-led operation by Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, who served as the Bishop’s driver and domestic staff, allegedly conspired with yet-to-be-identified criminal elements to murder the cleric before fleeing with the victim’s Prado Jeep to Anambra State for sale.

“Police operatives, acting on credible information, tracked and intercepted the suspects in Nkpor, successfully recovered the stolen vehicle, and took them into custody for further interrogation.”

The CP stated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang involved in the incident and fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate murder.

Orutugu advised the public to exercise due diligence in the recruitment and management of domestic staff, drivers, and other household employees.

He urged members of the public to properly profile and verify the identities of persons employed in their homes and establishments, while also remaining vigilant to suspicious behaviours and activities.

“We assured the public that the Command remains committed to proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property across the State,” the CP added. (The PUNCH)

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