The police in Ebonyi State have arrested a man, Simon Ugbala, who on Monday allegedly killed his wife, two children and four others with a machete.

He injured several people.

The suspect, who was believed to be mentally-deranged, was alleged to have gone berserk, killing and injuring people. He later ran away into the bush.

Later about 200 youths searched for the man in conjunction with the police.

The suspect was said to have appeared in the community the next day and attacked more people, killing one other person, which necessitated the involvement of the military.
The news of his re-appearance forced parents to withdraw their children from schools.

The Nation learnt that the combined efforts paid off, as Ugbala was arrested yesterday and handed over to the police.

Spokesperson Loveth Odah confirmed the incident.

She said the suspect was arrested by a combined team of the Police, Army and youths.

Odah said the suspect had been taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA), for psychiatric examination and evaluation. She advised residents to take people suspected to be mentally-deranged to hospital, to prevent calamity.