Killing Of Enugu Ogene Musician, Igbo Jah: Police Arrest Its Officer

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Enugu State Police authorities have announced the arrest of the Police Officer  who allegedly  shot and killed a popular Ogene traditional artist Igbo Jah, on the night of Friday, October 25 2024.

The announcement of the suspect’s arrest comes on the heels of  palpable tension and threats of disruption of peace by angry Enugu residents over the killing of the music icon.

The Source reports that Okezie Chikezie Mba. a well known Ogene music exponent in both  Enugu and the South East was reportedly felled by stray bullets from a police officer attached to the Tactical Squad of Enugu State police Command

Mba, popular as Igbo Jah, was said to have made a personal, but friendly visit to the Anti-Cult Unit of the Tactical Squad operational office, along side some friends.

However, he was said to have been hit by bullets fired by one of the officers of the  unit who allegedly shot  indiscriminately.

No reason(s) have been offered for the sporadic firing by the police operative.

The victim was rushed to the hospital, but was sadly, pronounced dead on arrival.

“They went for an event at the anti-cult office of the Police in Enugu when unfortunately,the Police started to shoot and he was hit by some bullets. He died on the way to the hospital” a friend of the artist who craved anonymity volunteered.

According to the friend, only two days before the sad incident, both of them had gone to Umuchigbo Community to watch their masquerade dance together.

A statement from the Enugu State Police Command spokesman, DSP said the  police has commenced investigations into the incident which he informed occurred at about 8.10 pm on Friday ,October 25, 2024 at the Tactical Squad operations Headquarters, Enugu.

According to the statement, the  Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has appointed the DCP in charge of CID to head the investigation team.

While condoling the family, friends and fans of the music star ,the Commissioner of Police urged the people to be calm.

He assured that everything will be done to get to the root of the incident, which he described as unfortunate and unacceptable.

CP Uzuegbu also promised that the Police Officer accused of shooting the musician, and any other persons involved will be made to face the full weight of the law if found culpable.