The Inspector General of police in Nigeria, IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, has ordered a thorough investigation into the trending case of two girls, Afiba and Celine, who went missing after visiting a British-Nigerian businessman in Aba, Nigeria in April, 2024.
In a statement posted on the police’s official page on Facebook and dated June 10, the IGP directed the Police Monitoring Unit, a special police unit on criminal investigations, to conduct a thorough and high-powered investigation into the suspected murder of one Andrew Ochekwo, the principal suspect in the case of the missing girls.
Two female friends, Afiba Tandoh ( A Ghanaian national based in Dubai) and her friend, Celine Ndudim, had travelled from Port Harcourt to visit a businessman, Andrew Ochekwo in Aba in April. The two ladies have remained missing since then.
Andrew was later arrested by the police but was allegedly killed while trying to escape in Benue while being transferred to Abuja for further investigations.
The IGP statement is coming amidst allegations of cover up and compromise by the police in the handling of the case. The statement is the first office statement from the police on the case since it was made public by activist Harrison Gwamnishu and trended since May, 2024.
In his statement, the IGP assured the Public that the case would be handled with integrity and professionalism.
See the police statement in full below:
PRESS RELEASE
ANDREW OCHEKWO: IGP INSTITUTES HIGH-POWERED INVESTIGATION, ASSURES JUSTICE
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has directed the Monitoring Unit to conduct a thorough and high-powered investigation into the suspected murder of one Andrew Ochekwo. This directive comes amid the numerous allegations, arguments, and counterarguments surrounding the case, which also involves the disappearance of two ladies, Celine and Afiba after their trip to visit the said Andrew in Aba, Abia State, for which he was alleged to be responsible.
In light of the public interest and the gravity of the allegations, the IGP has deemed it necessary to institute a meticulous investigation into the roles played by the team which carried out the initial investigation in Abia State, and the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT), to unravel the veritable facts of the matter. The Monitoring Unit has been given a two-week timeframe to complete its investigation and present a comprehensive report.
The Inspector General of Police assures that this case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity, urging all well-meaning members of the public and all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference. Similarly, all persons/groups with relevant information regarding this case are encouraged to come forward and assist with the investigation, and all such information provided will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality, reach us via email at [email protected], and our social media accounts.
The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the cooperation and support of the public and hereby reassures that timely updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FOR:
INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE.
10th June, 2024.
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