The Anambra state police command, on Monday, said it arrested 264 suspected cultists, robbers and killers within the month of April.
The state Police Commissioner, CP Mustapha Danduara, disclosed this while parading some criminal suspects including one Chigbo Aniegbu, who was arrested in connection with the murder of ex-lawmaker and President General of Nimo community, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA) Frank Anthony Igboka.
According to Danduara, 231 out of the 264 suspects were arrested for cult-related issues, while other suspects were accused of robbery, murder and other issues.
On the alleged killer of the ex-lawmaker, the police commissioner said the command under his watch launched an aggressive manhunt of perpetrators of the “dastardly act which led to the arrest of the main kingpin one Chigbo Aniegbu aka (Transformer) ‘m’ aged 27 years old in connection with the murder of the late President General. Other gang members are at large and effort is being intensified to apprehend them.”
He further declared four persons wanted in connection with the death of Igboka, adding that Governor Willie Obiano has placed N5m ransom each (making it N15m) to be paid anyone capable of providing information leading to their arrest respectively.
“The suspects are Smart surname unknown ‘m’, Chukwunonso alias (Nwasami) and Obinna Okafor ‘m’. Suspects have all been declared wanted by the Command and a cash reward of five million Naira (N5000,000) was promised to anybody who provides useful information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects by His Excellency the executive governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano,” he said.
The Police command also paraded one Ikechukwu Emilie, a suspect that in 2014, allegedly kidnapped and murdered 85-year-old Pa Iloanyusi, who was father of ex-Super Eagles player Chikelu Iloanyusi; rescued one Obinna Davidson and his vehicle from kidnappers.
Others were robbery suspects such as Mr Chijioke Okeh, aged 26 years; Mr Ugochukwu Nweke, aged 23 years; Mr Chukwuma Ememke; Mr Chizoba Obuneme; and suspected cultists/murderers namely, Mr Chidubem Umealu for alleged murder of one Mr Arinze Uzoegbu.
The Police commissioner while listing some exhibits recovered from the suspects to include ammunition, vehicles, weapons, and others, said the cases were under investigation, while they would be charged to courts at an appropriate time.
“Once again i assure all “Ndi Anambra” and residents alike that Anambra State will continue to remain safe and secured despite isolated cases which the Command in collaboration with other Sister agencies are working assiduously to contain,” he said.
Reacting, some of the suspects including Chigbo Aniegbu and Ikechukwu Emilie denied ever being involved in murder cases, even as Aniegbu admitted being in a car that drove the killers of late lawmaker.
Emilie, on his part, agreed to have jumped with handcuffs when arrested for murder case due to fear.