The murderers of Mr Stephen Aniagu, the Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association (OMMATA), have been arrested.
Recall that on September 14, armed criminals killed Mr Aniagu at Topland, along Amechi Road, Enugu. During the attack, the assailants also stole the blue-coloured Toyota Corolla car he was driving.
The arrest was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Friday.
He said the arrest of the suspects followed the mobilisation made by the police to unravel those behind the incident.
Ndukwe said, “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, respectively.
“The suspects are 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.”
He said they were arrested in Akwuke, Awkunanaw, in Enugu South LGA of Enugu State.
Quoting him, “During interrogations, both suspects confessed to their active involvement in the crimes.
“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.”
The PPRO said the suspects confessed to having committed several other crimes, stating that their criminal camp is in a forest at Mmaku in Awgu LGA.
“They also mentioned Obinna Nnamani (male) of Ndiagu Ogbo-Ezinne, Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA; Miracle aka “C-C” or “White”, of Mmaku community in Awgu LGA; Okoro Chisom (male) of Ihie community in Awgu LGA; one Israel; Pius Anoja (male, a.k.a “Ezeobo” and the Chief Priest of criminal group) of Mmaku community in Awgu LGA; Mosquito (male, real names unknown) of Mmaku community in Awgu LGA; Anunti (male, real names unknown) of Mmaku community in Awgu LGA; and Iyangbakwu (male, real names unknown) of Akegbe-Ugwu community in Nkanu West LGA.
He said the suspects were assisting the police in the ongoing investigations to apprehend the mentioned accomplices who are currently at large, and to recover the stolen vehicles and tools used to commit these crimes.
One Tecno Android phone, snatched from a victim in the crimes, and objects suspected to be charms were recovered from them, he disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Enugu State Police Command to apprehend all individuals connected to these crimes.
He assured the public that the police would continue to dismantle criminal gangs, particularly those involved in violent crimes.
He stressed that the command would maintain its aggressive stance against criminals and ensure the safety and security of the good people of Enugu State.