The Enugu State Police Command on Friday presented two suspects involved in the killing of Chief Stephen Aniagu, the Chairman of Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, Enugu, who was murdered on September 14, 2024.
The suspects, identified as 28-year-old Chukwudi Aboshi from Anike in Ikwo LGA, Ebonyi State, and Ani Innocent Ebuka (also known as “Excellent”), a driver from Isigwe-Ugbawka in Nkanu East LGA, confessed to the crime during a press briefing led by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe. The suspects admitted to shooting Aniagu, claiming he and another individual were targeted for being “stubborn.”
Police stated that six members of the gang remain at large, with efforts ongoing to capture them. According to DSP Ndukwe, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State had urged law enforcement to ensure swift action in holding the perpetrators accountable.
Consequently, on November 8 and 9, 2024, police arrested the two suspects through coordinated efforts between the Anti-Robbery Section (D9) of the State CID and the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad.
In custody, the suspects described their involvement in the attack, recounting how they ambushed Aniagu, seized his vehicle, and shot another driver nearby, stealing his Toyota Corolla.
The second victim survived and is currently in stable condition. The suspects also confessed to multiple other crimes and revealed that their hideout was located in a forested area of Mmaku in Awgu LGA.
The suspects provided names of other gang members still at large, including Obinna Nnamani from Akpugo, Miracle (nicknamed “C-C” or “White”) from Mmaku, Okoro Chisom from Ihe, and others identified as Israel, Pius Anoja (a.k.a. “Ezeobo,” a spiritual leader of the group), “Mosquito,” “Anunti,” and Inyiagboku.
DSP Ndukwe noted that the arrested suspects are aiding police efforts to apprehend the remaining gang members and to recover stolen vehicles and weapons.
Commissioner of Police, CP Anayo Uzuegbu, thanked the state government under Governor Mbah for its support of security operations and pledged to eradicate remaining criminal groups in Enugu. He also encouraged the public to provide information to assist law enforcement.
One of the suspects, Ani Chukwuebuka, disclosed that he had been recruited by Obinna, the gang leader, to drive a stolen Corolla.
He described seeing multiple firearms in the vehicle and recounted how the gang had initially planned to steal the vehicle from Aniagu but resorted to violence when he resisted.