The Enugu State Police Command, on Friday, paraded two members of a daredevil robbery gang linked to the killing of the Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, Chief Stephen Aniagu.
The late Aniagu was shot dead by the suspects on 14th September, 2024.
The suspects, a 28-year-old Chukwudi Aboshi, a native of Anike in Ikwo local government area and Ani Innocent Ebuka, popularly known as Excellent who is a driver and native of Isigwe-Ugbawka in Nkanu East local government area of the state have both confessed to the crime in their interaction with journalists.
The suspects who were paraded by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe said the late market leaders and one other victim were shot for “proving stubborn.”
However, six members of the gang are still at large as police intensify manhunt for their arrest.
DSP Ndukwe 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.”
He added that the suspects also confessed to committing several other crimes, revealing that their criminal camp was in a forest at Mmaku in Awgu LGA.
He added that the suspects also mentioned other members of their criminal gang, now at large for their active involvement in the crimes.
These are Obinna Nnamani of Ndiagu Ogbo-Ezinne, Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA; one Miracle whose nickname is ‘C-C’ or ‘White’ of Mmaku community in Awgu LGA; Okoro Chisom of Ihe community in Awgu LGA; Israel whose other name is also unknown; Pius Anoja a.k.a ‘Ezeobo’ who is the chief priest of criminal group; Mosquito and Anunti whose real names are unknown, all from Mmaku community in Awgu LGA as well as Inyiagboku, male and real name unknown but hails from Akegbe-Ugwu in Nkanu West LGA of the state.
Ndukwe explained that the 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 in the state, CP Anayo Uzuegbu has vowed to dismantle any remnant of criminal gangs in the state and called on members of the public to assist security agencies with useful information.
