November 19, (THEWILL) – Following the death of an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osita Duruoha, operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested some suspects, allegedly linked to the killing.
The suspects, Nwobodo Obumneme, Malachi Uzorchukwu and Ifesinachi Ogechukwu, were paraded along with 17 others, arrested in connection with various crimes in the State by the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng.
The deceased INEC official, Duruoha, was declared missing in September 2022, but his body was later found by the roadside, in Isuaniocha community, in Awka North Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking with newsmen on Friday, at the headquarters of the State Police Command in Amawbia, 26-year-old Obumneme, told journalists that he and his gang strangled Duruoha, with the aim of dispossessing him of his shuttle bus.
“We hired him to use his shuttle bus to take us to Urum from Ifite; our intention was to steal his bus, but later we had to strangle him to take the bus”, the suspect confessed.
The Commissioner of Police, Echeng, said the command in collaboration with vigilantes in the state, also arrested four suspected electricity equipment vandals and thieves.
The CP also said, a combined team of Police and operatives of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while on patrol on 7th September 2022, “intercepted one Godwin Nwode, living at Obsoi Street, Fegge Onitsha, a search was conducted in his J5 bus, some quantities of drugs were found, also pump action guns, one double gun, 25 live cartridges, 13 gun bags and 3 cartridges bags were recovered.
“The suspect confessed to the crime and has made useful statements that are helping the police in the ongoing investigation, while the suspect has been charged to court and is presently on remand at a correctional centre in Anambra State.
“Electricity cables, pump action guns and about 10 vehicles including a Venza jeep with Reg No. KRD 344 BT Lagos, used by ESN/IPOB militants to attack Army patrol officers at Isuiofia, in Aguata L.G.A., where two Soldiers and four ESN/IPOB militants members lost their lives during the gun duel, was recovered.”
The police boss urged citizens to continue to go about their lawful businesses and give prompt information about criminal activities within their domain to law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.
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