Police nab two suspects for killing Enugu market leader

The Enugu State Police Command, on Friday, paraded two suspects behind the killing of the Chairman of Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, Stephen Aniagu on September 14, 2024.

The suspects, Chukwudi Aboshi, and Ani Ebuka (also known as Excellent), confessed to the crime during their parade at the state Police headquarters.

They claimed that Aniagu and one other victim were killed for “proving stubborn.”

Confessing the crime to journalists, one of the arrested criminals, Ebuka said he was contacted by one Obinna, the 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.

Ebuka, 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, adding that he functioned as the criminal ring’s logistics supplier. 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 AK47s, and one Pump Action. We took the vehicles to a forest in Mmaku.”

He said the charms recovered from them and fetish marks allegedly given to him on the forehead by Obinna were for protection.

Also speaking, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, revealed that six other members of the gang are still at large, noting that the police have intensified the manhunt for them.

“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 several times at the same location on the night of the murder, snatching his Toyota Corolla as well. Fortunately, he is stable and undergoing treatment.”