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Suspected killers of Enugu market leader arrested

Published

5 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Suspected killers of Enugu market leader arrested

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.

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“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.

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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.

Suspected killers of Enugu market leader arrested

Related Topics:Enugu killers market leader

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NAF air strikes kill scores of bandits in Kaduna, free kidnap victims

Published

4 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Trends Admin

NAF air strikes kill scores of bandits in Kaduna, free kidnap victims

The Nigerian Air Force said on Saturday that its fighter aircraft conducted strategic airstrikes targeting major bandit enclaves located within Dunya Hill and Batauna Forest in Giwa, Kaduna State, resulting in the neutralisation of many combatants as well as the obliteration of significant stockpiles of weapons and resources critical to the bandits’ operations.

Director of NAF Public Relations, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, while disclosing this, said, “In a sign of the operation’s success, multiple reports have emerged detailing the escape and liberation of several kidnapping victims, who have managed to regain freedom amidst the chaos inflicted upon their captors.”.

He said, “In furtherance of the intense air interdiction campaign in Northwest Nigeria nicknamed Operation Farautar Mujiya, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma on November 12, 2024, conducted strategic airstrikes targeting major bandit enclaves located within Dunya Hill and Batauna Forest in Giwa, Kaduna State.

“These areas have long served as safe havens for bandit groups due to their dense vegetation and the natural protection provided by an array of caves.

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“The objective of the strikes was to dismantle the entrenched criminal networks and degrade their capacity to operate effectively.

“The airstrikes were preceded by intensive intelligence gathering that meticulously identified high-value targets, including key logistics hubs and hidden armouries used by the bandits.

“The aerial assault resulted in the neutralisation of many combatants as well as the obliteration of significant stockpiles of weapons and resources critical to the bandits’ operations.

“Since the commencement of this intensified campaign, credible sources from local communities have confirmed that bandits are on the run, their once-secure enclaves in disarray.

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Appeal court affirms Baruwa as NURTW president, renders MC Oluomo election invalid

Published

4 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Musiliu Akinsanya (popularly known as MC Oluomo

Appeal court affirms Baruwa as NURTW president, renders MC Oluomo election invalid

The recent emergence of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo as National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has been rendered invalid.
This follows a new judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirming Tajudeen Baruwa as the re-elected NURTW president.
Newstrends recalls MC Oluomo was elected as the president of NURTW last Saturday after being the only candidate to run for the position at a South-West forum for NURTW leaders.

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He was said to have secured unanimous votes from all of the delegates in the Union’s Quadrennial Delegate Conference for Zone 2 Council held in Osogbo, Osun State.
But the appeal court in a unanimous judgement delivered on Friday, November 8, upheld the March 11, 2024 ruling of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, affirming the re-election of Tajudeen Baruwa as the president of the NURTW.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba and Justice Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi.

A report on Saturday November 16 by SaharaReporters said the appeal numbered CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024 was between Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin, Alh. Tajudeen Badru Agbede, Alh. Aliyu Isa Ore, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alh. Alhasan Haruna 313, Aliyu Tanimu, Alh. Hakeem Adeosun as 1st to 7th Appellants and Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, Bello Adamu, Eugene Eze Job, Danjuma Saidu, Prince Isah Dahiru Uman, Suleiman Adamu, Odion Olaye J.P and Chief Herbert C. Iwuji as the 1st to 8th Respondents,

It stated that the three appeal court judges dismissed the appellants appeal and awarded a cost of N100,000 against them.

The enrolled order of the judgement obtained on Friday evening showed it was signed by Deputy Chief Registrar, Judith M. Jabbe, and read by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka.

The Appeal Court declared that “this Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed”.

The judgement read, “This is an appeal against the judgment/decision of the National Industrial Court Sitting in Abuja, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023 delivered on the 11th March, 2024 by Justice O. O. Oyewumi.

“Upon reading the Record of Appeal compiled and transmitted before this court together with the respective briefs of argument;

“And after hearing, O. I. Olorundare, SAN with F.T Sotikare, esq) Jimoh Balogun, Esq O. D. Emole, Esq I. Yunanah Esq) for the appellants.

“Tolu Babaleye Esq with Adeniyi Adejoke Esq, Maku Oluwatoyin Esq, B. T Ataine Esq for the Respondents; it is hereby ordered that:

“This appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.

“I affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court delivered on the 11th day of March, 2024 in respect of Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.”

“I award the cost of N100,000 against the Appellant and in favour of the Respondents,” it adds.

The National Industrial Court in its judgment on Monday, March 11, 2024, sacked the Tajudeen Agbede-led Caretaker Committee of the NURTW.

While delivering her judgment on the leadership crisis rocking the union, Justice O. O. Oyewumi held that the delegates’ conference across the six zonal councils held on May 24, 2023, where Baruwa emerged as President for a second term in office was valid.