Manhunt for murder suspect police believe may have fled to Ireland as cops issue major appeal

POLICE in the UK are on the hunt for a murder suspect who they believe may have fled to Ireland.

A major search operation is underway to find two men wanted in connection to the death of a 19-year-old who was fatally stabbed in Leeds on August 26.

Emmanuel Nyabako was seriously injured in the incident, which occurred on Francis Street, Chapeltown and later died.

West Yorkshire Police today issued an appeal to try and trace Emile Riggan, 22, and Louis Grant, 29, who is also known to go by the name O’Brien.

Investigators say they believe Mr Riggan may have travelled to while there have also been searches in the Sheffield area to locate Mr Grant.

A 15-year-old boy and a 34-year-old woman have also been arrested in connection with Mr Nyabako’s death and are currently on bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Damian Roebuck of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team said that they believe Mr Riggan may have fled to Ireland by ferry.

He said: “Our investigation into Emmanuel’s murder continues, and we are now in a position to issue images of two males wanted on suspicion of his murder.

“We believe Louis Grant, who also goes by O’Brien, is active in the Sheffield area and that Emile Riggan travelled to the Republic of Ireland by ferry.

“We are conducting enquiries with partners in both locations and would ask anyone who can help us locate either man to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, (HMET) at West Yorkshire Police.”

Anyone with information can contact the HMET via 101 Live Chat or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13230475319.

Information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or going online.

In a statement, investigators said: “Detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of a man in Leeds have issued an appeal to locate two males wanted for his murder.

“The Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) would like to speak to anyone who can help them locate Emile Riggan (22) and Louis Grant (AKA O’Brien) aged 29, who are wanted in connection with the murder of Emmanuel Nyabako (19).

“Emmanuel was stabbed in an incident in Francis Street, Chapeltown, in the early hours of Saturday, 26 August, suffering serious injuries which were to prove fatal.

“Officers have been conducting enquiries in the Sheffield area to locate Louis Grant /O ‘Brien, and it is believed Emile Riggan may have travelled to Ireland.

OTHERS CHARGED

“Another male, Phillip Bryant, aged 32, of Skinner Lane in Leeds, has so far been charged with Emmanuel’s murder and was remanded in court custody pending trial.

“A 15-year-old school boy and 34-year-old woman also arrested in connection with the offence remain on police bail.”

Separately, police in are hunting for a man after he escaped from the custody of prison officers.

Sean Tate is currently “unlawfully at large” after having been on accompanied temporary release in the Antrim Road area of north Belfast.

The 47-year-old was serving a six year custodial sentence for a number of offences, including robbery, kidnapping and possession of a weapon.

He is described as wearing grey and blue trainers with a fluorescent swoosh, navy blue jeans, grey fleece and black polo shirt.

Tate was in the custody of prison officers at a property in the area and made off along the Salisbury Avenue area shortly before 11:40am.

A PSNI spokesperson confirmed: “Tate, who was serving a six-year custodial sentence for a number of offences including robbery, kidnapping and possession of an offensive weapon to cause an indictable offence, was in the custody of prison officers at a property in the Antrim Road area of north Belfast on Friday October 27.”