The Enugu State Police Command, on Friday, paraded two members of a daredevil robbery gang behind the killing of the Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, OMMATA, Enugu, Chief Stephen Aniagu on 14th September 2024.

The suspects, Chukwudi Aboshi, a 28-year-old native of Anike in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Ani Innocent Ebuka (a.k.a. Excellent), a driver and native of Isigwe-Ugbawka in Nkanu East Local Government Area, who also confessed to the crime in their interaction with journalists, were paraded at a press briefing by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Daniel Ndukw.

This was even as the criminal suspects said that that Aniagu and one other were shot for “proving stubborn.”

However, six members of the gang are still at large as police intensify manhunt for them.

Briefing newsmen at Enugu Police Command’ headquarters, the police spokesman said, “You will also recall that the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, swiftly directed the state security forces to intensify efforts and ensure that all those involved in this crime are apprehended and held accountable.

“Consequently, through diligent intelligence work and coordinated efforts between Police Detectives of the Anti-Robbery Section (D9) of the State CID and Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Command, the police arrested two male suspects involved in the crime on November 8 and 9, 2024.

“During interrogation, both suspects confessed to their active involvement in the crime. They provided detailed accounts of how they attacked Mr. Aniagu, snatched his vehicle, and similarly shot another male driver severally at the same location on the night of the murder, snatching his Toyota Corolla as well. Fortunately, he is stable and undergoing treatment.

“Furthermore, the suspects confessed to having committed several other crimes, stating that their criminal camp was in a forest at Mmaku in Awgu LGA.

“They also mentioned the following names at large as members of their criminal gang and who were actively involved in the perpetration of the crimes: Obinna Nnamani (male), of Ndiagu Ogbo-Ezinne, Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA; Miracle (male, other names unknown, but has the nickname ‘C-C’ or ‘White’) of Mmaku community in Awgu LGA; Okoro Chisom (male) of Ihe community in Awgu LGA; Israel (male, other names and nativity unknown), Pius Anoja (male, a.k.a ‘Ezeobo’ and the chief priest of criminal group), Mosquito (male, real names unknown), and Anunti (male, real names unknown) all from Mmaku community in Awgu LGA and Inyiagboku (male, real names unknown), who hails from Akegbe-Ugwu in Nkanu West LGA.”

Ndukwe explained that the arrested suspects were assisting the police in the ongoing investigations to apprehend the mentioned accomplices on the run, and to recover the stolen vehicles and tools used to commit these crimes.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, CP Anayo Uzuegbu, while appreciating the Enugu State Government, “under the proactive leadership of Dr. Peter Mbah, for its unwavering support to the police and other security agencies in the State,” has vowed to dismantle any remnant criminal gangs in the state and called on members of the public to assist security agencies with useful information.

Meanwhile, one of the arrested criminals, Ani Chukwuebuka, confessed to the crime, as he was contacted by one Obinna, leader of the gang.

“The reason they called me out that day was to come and drive one of the Corolla cars that was stolen. I saw three AK47 riffles and three pump action riffles. We drove off to Mmaku. As we were on the way, they told me they wanted to snatch the vehicle from the man, but he was proving stubborn and they shot him and the second car they said they equally shot that one too,” he stated.

Ani Chukwuebeuka, who had burns all over his body said they were recently inflicted on him in Oji River where he was set ablaze over theft of tricycles, but was saved by a Good Samaritan, further confessed to being the logistics supplier in the criminal ring.

On his part, Aboshi said, “After closing my cosmetic shop at Gariki for the day, Obinna called me. They picked me to Topland. We saw one vehicle. We wanted to take it to Mmaku that day. So, we stopped the vehicle and the owner did not want to allow Obinna to take the vehicle. So, Obinna shot him. Immediately, we saw another one and stopped it. We shot the person.

“I was carrying a pump action. We were carrying four AK47, one Pump Action. We took the vehicles to a forest in Mmaku,” he added.

He said the charms recovered from them and fetish marks allegedly given to him on the forehead by Obinna were for protection.

Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah, has vowed that there was no hiding place for criminals in the state.

“Those who have decided to test our resolve will meet their waterloo like these ones,” Mr Mbah assured.

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In a bid to checkmate social vices and nip crimes on the bud, the management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, has indefinitely suspended two students for belonging to a cult group.

The students were suspended following report of the Nigeria Police Force Anti-cultism Squad which implicated the affected duo. The students are: Emmanuel Chibuzor Anyanwu of Medical Laboratory Science Department and Joseph Chukwuemeka Chukwu of Public Administration.   

They were indicted for their involvement in secret cult activities, conspiracy and unlawful possession of life cartridges. They were subsequently indefinitely suspended from the university.

The two students, according to a circular signed by the Registrar of the University, Chief Ambrose Ugwu, were allegedly caught during secret cult initiation of rituals of new members in a bush at the New Jerusalem Layout, behind Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, Enugu State on January 14, 2024 where they confessed to being members of the Black-Axe Confraternity.

The affected students have been mandated to stay away from the university surrounding pending the determination of the case in court.  

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The Nigeria Police Force has successfully prosecuted a total number of twenty-nine thousand, and fifty-two (29,052) criminal cases across the country in the last one year.

This achievement results from the staunch dedication and diligence exhibited by investigative officers in consonance with the various legal teams in Commands and Formations nationwide culminating in the successful conclusion of most of these cases in relentless pursuit of accountability and the rule of law.

In a release signed by the FPRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, it noted that out if the the 29,052 cases prosecuted, seventeen thousand, six hundred and seventy-six (17,676) have been conclusively dispensed with while a total number of eleven thousand, three hundred and seventy-six (11,376) cases are still undergoing trial, with a total of fifty-one (51) cases currently under appeal at the respective appellate courts.

“Moreover, out of the dispensed cases, sixteen thousand, two hundred (16,200) cases have led to the conviction of suspects who have been handed various forms of punishments for their criminal acts, a stark reminder to all criminals that they have no hiding place in our societies.

“They are hereby warned to desist from their criminal acts as the long and vicious arm of the law will eventually bring them to justice. Additionally, 1,476 individuals have been discharged at the discretion of the jury. However, some of these discharged cases have been appealed by the Police for justice to prevail.

The Inspector General of Police, while extoling the dedication and professionalism of field and supervisory officers and legal teams, whose tireless efforts have contributed to these remarkable achievements, expressed gratitude to the judiciary, legal practitioners, and all stakeholders for their invaluable support and collaboration in the pursuit of justice.

“He reiterated the resoluteness of the Nigeria Police to upholding the principles of justice and effectively play its due role in the criminal justice system,” the statement concluded.

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The Nigeria Police Force, Abuja Headquarters, on Saturday arrested and paraded Bwari Area Council-based 16 suspected kidnappers and displayed sophisticated weapons recovered from them.

In a press release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the suspected were arrested based on their alleged involvement in kidnapping and violent crimes within the Federal Capital Territory.

Amongst the suspects paraded yesterday were three males; Idris Ishaku, Bala Umar and Dahiru Salisu all aged 27 years, who have been alleged to be responsible for series of armed robbery cases and kidnappings in the Bwari Area Council and other parts of the FCT

“Similarly, the combined team of operatives have arrested thirteen (13) suspects for various other crimes. Amongst the achievements recorded is the foiling of another kidnap plot through technical intelligence resulting in the arrest of the above-named Bwari-based kidnappers, and weapons recovered from them.

“In a proactive move, following a report on the abduction of a victim from his house along with his Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL Gray colour by four armed men who disguised in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car, Police Operatives in an intelligence propelled investigation discovered that the victim was being taken to Kano State, but was dispossessed of his ATM cards at Kaduna while the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) was transferred from his account.

“The suspects however ran out of luck as they were intercepted by Police operatives at a filling station in Kaduna where three of them escaped, while one by the name Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael was arrested, the victim rescued unhurt, and the said Hilux Van recovered. It was discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested sometime in November 2023 and charged for similar offences, at the High Court, Kwali, Abuja, but went back to committing even worse crimes while on court bail,” the Force statement reads in part.

Also, operatives of the DFI-IRT office intercepted one Everest Magaji, a gunrunner, during negotiation with some notorious bandits who are currently at large, for the purchase and supply of illicit firearms and ammunition. Eleven (11) Pistols, and Two (2) Pump Action Guns were recovered from the suspect.

“The achievements recorded through these relentless operations demonstrate the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D., NPM, to ensure our country becomes a safe haven for us to inhabit. The IGP urges all citizens to be very observant of their environs and the people in it, and report any suspicious activity immediately to the police,” the statement concluded

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