Two months after he was brutally murdered in cold blood, operatives of Enugu State Police Command on Friday arrested two suspected killers of the Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders’ Association (OMMATA) in Enugu, Mr Stephen Aniagu.

Aniagu was murdered on September 14 in the Topland area in Amechi community, Enugu South local government area.

The two suspects included Ani Innocent Ebuka, a graduate of Environmental Sciences from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) at the Enugu State command headquarters.

A spokesperson for the Enugu Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe in Enugu said they were arrested “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.”

Ndukwe, who gave the names of the suspects as 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, said they were arrested in Akwuke, Awkunanaw, in Enugu South LGA of Enugu State on November 8 and 9, 2024, respectively.

“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,” he said.

“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 Ihie 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,” Ndukwe said.

He said the suspects are 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.

“One (1) Tecno Android phone, snatched from a victim in the crimes, and objects suspected to charms were recovered from them,” he said.

Ndukw added that the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Enugu State Police Command to apprehend all individuals connected to the crimes.

He assured the public that the police will continue in its efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, particularly those involved in violent crimes.

He stressed that the Command will maintain its aggressive stance against criminals and ensure the safety and security of the good people of Enugu State.

The suspects who interacted with Journalists during the parade said they were paid after accomplishing the mission even as they claimed ignorance of the whereabouts of other members of their gang.