The Enugu State Police Command on Friday presented two suspects linked to the murder of Chief Stephen Aniagu, Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association (OMMATA), who was killed on September 14, 2024.
The suspects, Chukwudi Aboshi, 28, from Anike in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and Ani Innocent Ebuka (also known as “Excellent”), a driver from Isigwe-Ugbawka in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, were paraded at a press briefing. Both confessed to their involvement in the crime during an interaction with journalists. They admitted to shooting Aniagu and another victim, who survived, for “proving stubborn.”
Six other members of the gang remain at large, and the police are intensifying efforts to apprehend them.
Speaking at the briefing, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel 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 multiple times at the same location, snatching his Toyota Corolla as well. Fortunately, he is stable and undergoing treatment.”
The suspects also revealed that their criminal operations were based in a forest at Mmaku in Awgu Local Government Area and identified additional members of their gang, including Obinna Nnamani of Ndiagu Ogbo-Ezinne in Akpugo; “Miracle,” nicknamed “C-C” or “White”; Okoro Chisom of Ihe community in Awgu; and several others with unknown full identities. The gang allegedly relied on a chief priest, Pius Anoja (known as “Ezeobo”), for spiritual protection.
Ndukwe stated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang members and recover stolen vehicles and tools used in the crimes. He commended the state government under Governor Mbah for its support of the police and security agencies....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
The Commissioner of Police, CP Anayo Uzuegbu, also expressed gratitude to the public and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to dismantling criminal gangs in Enugu. He urged citizens to provide useful information to assist law enforcement efforts.
One of the suspects, Ani Innocent Ebuka, recounted his role in the crimes, saying, “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 rifles and three pump-action rifles. 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. They also shot the owner of the second car.”
Ebuka also disclosed that he had recently survived being set ablaze in Oji River for stealing tricycles, thanks to the intervention of a Good Samaritan.
The other suspect, Chukwudi Aboshi, said, “After closing my cosmetic shop at Gariki for the day, Obinna called me. They picked me up and took me to Topland. We saw a vehicle and wanted to take it to Mmaku. The owner resisted, so Obinna shot him. Then we stopped another vehicle and shot the person too. We carried four AK47 rifles and one pump-action shotgun. We took the vehicles to a forest in Mmaku.”
Aboshi added that charms recovered from the gang were meant for protection, including fetish marks given to him by the gang leader, Obinna.
Governor Peter Mbah reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for crime, stating, “Those who have decided to test our resolve will meet their waterloo like these ones.”
