A suspect, Ebe Maduabuchi, has been arrested in connection with the attack on the Amegu-Nkalaha community in Ebonyi State, which left at least 16 people dead and 25 houses destroyed.
Maduabuchi, a local resident, was reportedly collaborating with the assailants.
He was apprehended on Monday by local security personnel in the neighbouring Eha-Amufu community, SaharaReporters reports on Wednesday.
Despite being subjected to torture, Maduabuchi maintained his innocence in a video clip SaharaReporters obtained on Wednesday.
However, he did provide names of individuals he claimed were involved in the attack.
Sources however told SaharaReporters that the suspect had been handed over to the police at Ikem Divisional Police Station.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State government has deployed a number of policemen and the state security outfit “Ebube-Agu” to Amegu-Nkalaha to ensure maximum security while investigation continued to unravel those behind the gruesome attack.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that at least 16 residents were gruesomely slaughtered while 25 houses with several millions of properties razed down during the attack took place on Sunday morning.
Confirming the arrest, one of the leaders of the affected community, who gave his name as Samuel Edeze told SaharaReporters that the suspect had named some names who he said were part of the assailants.
“The suspect Maduabuchi was arrested in our neighbouring community. Although we have not gotten details, we were told that he claimed that the Fulani herdsmen paid those who led them the attack N5million to share. That we don’t know whether is true or not but we understand that the suspect, who has been handed over to Ikem Divisional Police Station, was arrested at a place called ‘Idolugbu’.
“However, after the investigation we will know who and who were behind the attack and role each person played.”
He added, “Meanwhile, the police and the State Security outfit ‘Ebube-Agu’ have been deployed to our community. They are there now.”
