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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Tragedy struck in Enugu on Saturday night as gunmen suspected to be assassins murdered the Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders’ Association (OMMATA), Mr Stephen Aniagu.

The incident occurred at Moses Ogbodo Junction near Topland Market in the Amechi suburb of Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State around 7 pm on Saturday.

According to eyewitnesses, Aniagu was likely heading home after the market closed when he was attacked. His body was riddled with bullets and his car was missing.

Sources said they heard gunshots and pandemonium erupted as everyone scampered for safety

The motive behind the killing is yet to be determined.

Enugu: Gov Mbah Gives Security Agencies 48Hrs to Produce OMMATA Chairman’s Killers

Meanwhile, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has given security agencies in the state 48 hours to fish out the killers of the Chairman of Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, OMMATA, Chief Stephen Aniagu, vowing that no one would commit such heinous crime in the state under his watch and go scot-free.

Mbah also commiserated with the deceased’s family and OMMATA.

Reacting to the development on Sunday, Mbah said, “My heart grieves over the brutal murder of the Chairman of OMMATA, the late Chief Stephen Aniagu. This is a sad loss, not only to OMATTA as a body, but also to the entire state.

“In the meantime, I have directed security agencies in the state to produce his killers within 48 hours. As we have always maintained, and every merchant of death or criminal in the state ought to know by now, that we have demonstrated the capacity to bring them to book. We have the will, technology, and resources to pursue, track down, overtake, and defeat such workers of wickedness.

“Therefore, those who committed this atrocity have bitten more than they can chew. They have murdered sleep, hence neither they nor the government and security agencies will sleep until all the perpetrators are captured and justice served in accordance with the law sooner than later.

“I urge Ndi Enugu to go about their lawful businesses, for the security of lives and property remains our priority as a government. Those who have decided to test our resolve will meet their waterloo like others before them,” Mbah stated.

Commiserating with Chief Aniagu’s family, community, and OMMATA, the governor noted that the late market leader served his community, the association, and Enugu State creditably.

“The Government and people of Enugu State grieve with them. But I urge them to find solace in the service he rendered to our dear state and the fact that his killers will never go scot-free. It is a promise,” he concluded.

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The yuletide celebrations are here again. While innocent Nigerians continue to look up to the festive period and prepare adequately to meet their various needs within as well, it is imperative to forewarn Christmas shoppers especially in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria on what they should avoid when they go to markets, shopping malls, etc to make their buys.

Ogbete Main Market is the largest and busiest market in Enugu State. It does not only draw shoppers from the Southeast region to itself, marketing men and women from across the country and other neighbouring West Africa countries are always visitors to the market. With the Christmass and New Year celebrations few days away, below are ten – the list is inexhaustible – rules to apply when you go to Ogbete Main Market in Enugu for Christmas shopping.

1. If you are sitting beside the window in a car or keke or whatever you are in, don’t use your phone. The chances of losing in a flash of light is high. Chances that you will lose your phone is at 100 percent. In fact, you will watch season 1 & 2 as your phone travels without you. Be cautious.

2. If you are a lady, don’t put your phone in your handbag when you are in the market, particularly; hold it in your hands with your wallet. You can put it back in your bag when you leave the market. Your handbag is the target most times.

3. As a guy, putting your wallet in your back pocket is at your owner’s risk. They will help you to keep it well and protect it from reaching you again.

4. There is no significant difference between going to Holy Ghost and going to Ogbete main market. The main distinction is that Holy Ghost Cathedral is a church, while Ogbete main market is the largest market in Enugu state. Don’t get confused; you can still say, “I am going to Holy Ghost,” or “I am going to Ogbete,” any keke or driver knows where to stop you. Interestingly the miscreants have no regard for the presence of the church in the market. If dem no respect God, who you be?

5. If you are inside the market and you hear someone shouting, “pụọ nụ ụzọ,” clear the road because these barrow pushers don’t have joy this season. If they accidentally hit you, don’t fight back. Just waka dey go your way. Their wahala na pro max and na their season be dis

6. Once it’s 5 pm, “uwa mgbede” officially begins.  Everything is available there assorted.

7. If you see a group of boys and girls gathered with a carton in their midst, shouting “phone, phone”, my dear just close your ears and continue your way or you might end up being scammed. Even police no dey handle their case o.

(8) Are you preparing to do Christmas shopping in Ogbete main market? Just have this mindset, the person standing next to you is a suspect. No matter how gentle he may look. “Ndi mpiawa azu júrú everywhere”.

(9) Strictly For women – If you are engaging the services of barrow pushers this season, make sure you are ready to run don’t ever loose guard to avoid stories that touch the heart. If the barrow man begin walk faster, enter bike abi na keke and follow him.

(10) Kid’s safety – Don’t come to the market with your kids this rush hour. Come & shop for them. You can return anything that doesn’t fit well. There has been records of missing kids every season in Ogbete. Keep the kids safe!

Your Welfare matters! Compliments of the Season!

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