The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Hope Okafor, has raised alarm over the increasing rate of homicide across the state, calling for urgent public cooperation to curb the trend.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the Commissioner urged residents to desist from taking the law into their own hands and instead channel grievances through appropriate legal and security institutions.

Okafor stressed that murder remains a capital offence and a serious crime against humanity, warning that perpetrators would face the full weight of the law.

She reiterated her commitment to an open-door policy, encouraging members of the public to report complaints and security concerns, while assuring them of swift and fair responses from the police.

The Commissioner’s remarks come amid ongoing prosecution of several homicide cases in the state. Notably, a 32-year-old suspect, Oforbuike Damian, was arraigned in court on Thursday for allegedly stabbing his mother to death.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect reportedly carried out the act following a dispute with his mother, who refused to take him to a location where he believed he could acquire wealth-enhancing powers, and over a missing bag he used for his trading activities.

In separate cases, the police have also arraigned Onyebuchi Eze, Eze Nwuke, Oko Odinaka Emmanuel, and Uchenna Ota for their alleged involvement in murder-related offences, as authorities intensify efforts to tackle violent crime in the state.