Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a suspected serial killer, Kelechi Nwofurum, 31, alongside four accomplices over the murder of a commercial bus driver and the theft of his vehicle.

Nwofurum, a native of Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, reportedly lured the victim, 51-year-old Ifeanyi Abobo, under the pretence of engaging him for a transport job involving the movement of wood.

He was then taken into a bush where he was attacked and killed.

Police said the suspect struck the driver repeatedly with a stick, wood and a machete until he became unconscious, after which his bus was stolen and later sold to accomplices.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the arrest on Monday, said the operation followed intelligence-led investigations carried out by the Special Operations and Intelligence Team.

She added that preliminary findings linked the suspect to other cases of murder and vehicle snatching in different parts of the state, noting that he had previously lured other drivers under similar pretences before dispossessing them of their vehicles.

According to her, the victim’s body had been exhumed by police operatives, while investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

Iringe-Koko also warned members of the public against purchasing used items without verifying proof of ownership, cautioning that such transactions could involve proceeds of crime.

The suspect, in his statement, said he contacted his cousin, Azubuike Onyemachi, who linked him to a motor parts dealer, Ubu Basille Ikenna, who allegedly bought the stolen vehicle for N2.4 million.

He further claimed that the vehicle was later resold to another buyer for N3.44 million, while the victim’s mobile phone was sold for N45,000. (Daily Trust)