By Peter Duru, Makurdi
The Benue State Police command has arrested six persons in connection with the cold-blooded assassination of Mr. Luka Ayabam, elder brother of the Chairman of The Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Andrew Ayabam and the consequent threat to peace in parts of Ushongo local government area of Benue State.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ejike Alaribe, ASP, who disclosed this to Crime Alert in Makurdi stated that the Police has also intensified investigations into the heinous killing of Mr. Ayabam with a view to apprehending all those involved in the murder.

Meanwhile, the bereaved family has called for a full investigation into the heinous murder of Mr. Ayabam, alleging conspiracy in his assassination.

In a letter addressed to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Obiakor and also copied to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 4, titled “brutal assassination of Mr. Luka Ayabam and consequential threat to peace and lives in parts of Ushongo community/ request for thorough investigation”, the family pointed out that the soul of the slain would only rest in peace when the assailants are arrested.

According to the bereaved family, on October 30th, 2011, at about 2.00am, some armed persons broke into the house of Luka Ayabam, behind Federal Government Girls’ College, Gboko and shot him in the head, neck and stomach after informing him and the family that they did not come for his money.

He was later confirmed dead after being rushed to a nearby hospital in Gboko by family members and sympathizers.

The bereaved family has however, named a top local government official in Gwer local government area of Benue state (names withheld) as a key suspect in the brutal murder, while the Police says it would continue to comb the state to fish out all the suspects in the matter.