• The killer (Left) Benjamin Katabana; The victim (right), Uchenna Okirie. Photo Credit: Norfolk ConstabularyCCTV footage.

A 28-year-old Congolese national has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of his Nigerian roommate in Norwich, United Kingdom.

BBC reported on Tuesday that Benjamin Katabana was convicted of the murder of 33-year-old Uchenna Okirie, a former University of East Anglia economics student, after luring him into the communal corridor of their shared accommodation with WhatsApp messages.

The attack happened at Somerleyton House on Somerleyton Street, Norwich, on November 22.

According to Norfolk Constabulary, Okirie, popularly known as Uche, was using his phone when Katabana attacked him with a knife.

Katabana initially stabbed Okirie once before repeatedly attacking him and kicking him in the head while he lay on the floor.Okirie was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 6am.

A post-mortem examination found that he died from a stab wound to the chest.

After the killing, Katabana activated the building’s fire alarm and walked to Bethel Street Police Station, where he surrendered to officers.

He reportedly told police: “I have killed someone, I think.”

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has commended intelligence and security agencies in the state for having arrested three members of a notorious kidnap gang responsible for the August 2, 2026 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi LGA of the state.

A joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard, and others, led to a gun battle with the suspected kidnappers.

One suspected member of the kidnapping gang was neutralized, while the security team recovered four AK-47 rifles and a cache of ammunition.

The governor made the commendation on Monday night after visiting the state DSS headquarters to see the arrested suspected kidnappers.

The governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed that two of the three kidnapped victims of the August 2 attack, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr. Emmanuel Onwudi, had regained their freedom.

The victims, stated the SSG, had fully identified the apprehended men as their abductors.

On behalf of the governor, the SSG assured the people of Enugu State that the Mbah administration would continue to prioritise and invest in the security of their lives and properties.

“There was one fatality in this process. It was one of the criminals that died in the process of apprehending them.

Usually, criminal elements will not want to be apprehended easily without a fight, but our people were ready, and we have one fatality, while the others are here now as you can see; and they will face the full wrath of the law,” he declared.

“We made it very clear that if criminality becomes your venture, Enugu State is not the location to do that business; that we will pursue you, we will make sure we bring you to justice, and that was why we put the robust security architecture across the state, working in collaboration with the security forces to ensure that Enugu is uncomfortable for anybody that plans criminality, and you’re seeing that very clearly.

“We are intentional in investing in and organising our security architecture to prevent crime. But if there is a breach, you can run, but cannot hide for long. We must get you. You can’t commit these crimes in Enugu State and get away with it. No way,” he said.

He warned citizens against colluding with criminal elements or serve as their informants, vowing to come after them.

“We will find you also, just as we have found these people, and we will prosecute you as part of this evil operation and this evil syndicate.

“Wherever you are, know that investigation is ongoing and that this government will track you down, and you will pay for your crimes in planning havoc on our citizens. So wherever you are, we are still coming for you,” he stressed.He showered encomium on the security forces for their cooperation and gallantry.

“We also want to very highly commend all the security agencies: the DSS, Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, the Enugu State Forest Guard, the military services, others for being very instrumental in some of the work that was done, and continue to do in Enugu State,” the SSG declared.

The Kogi State Police Command, working in collaboration with other security agencies, has rescued 16 victims who were abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba highway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

The victims — 12 adults and four children — were kidnapped while travelling along the highway. Two of those abducted were officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Addressing journalists in Lokoja, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, said the victims were freed during a fierce gun battle between security operatives and the armed attackers.

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