Enugu: Police arrests two for alleged murder in Oruku community

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Enugu: Police arrests two for alleged murder in Oruku community

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Nigerian Police Force, Enugu State Command, have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged murder of one Mr. Ejike Nnaji.

The suspects, identified as Donatus Ani (aka Eneniyi) and Chidiebere Ani (aka Mpempe), were apprehended by the operatives on January 12, 2025, at their Akpuoga residence following credible intelligence.

They allegedly conspired, ambushed, and murdered Mr. Ejike Nnaji, a native of Oruku in Nkanu East L.G.A., on December 14, 2024. They were also accused of stealing his mobile phone and motorcycle before dumping his remains in a well within an abandoned compound in the area.

The suspects are believed to be members of a large gang involved in an internecine war in Oruku Community between 2019 and 2022, during which many lives were lost and over 150 houses were burnt down.

For the past four years, the suspects allegedly terrorized the community, engaging in violent crimes such as killing innocent people, kidnapping for ransom, vandalizing homes, and forcefully harvesting economic crops and palm trees.

Meanwhile, it was recalled that the late Ejike Nnaji was ambushed and shot dead on December 14, 2024, at the Eziobodo axis of Oruku Community. His remains were dumped in a well in one of the abandoned compounds in the neighborhood while the suspects allegedly took his phone and motorcycle.

A report on the incident was officially made on December 15, 2024, by the Caretaker Committee of Oruku Community at Idodo Police Station.

The prompt response of Idodo Police officers led to the recovery of the corpse from the well, after which the case was transferred to the state command for further investigation.

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Intelligence gathering and swift action by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Enugu Police Command led to the arrest of the two gang members.

The arrested suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime and mentioned other members still at large. They identified the gang leader and sponsor as Ejike Mba (aka Terrorist) and named other accomplices, including Chukwuebuka Ogbo, Okechukwu Nwatu (aka Osinaikuku), Aloysius Nnaona, Onyeka Ugwu (aka Dakpada), and Ifeanyi Charles Okenwa (aka Nwandumma).

In their confessional statement, Chidiebere Ani (aka Mpempe) told the police that they had four AK-47 rifles in their possession for their criminal activities.

They revealed that the firearms were kept in the possession of one Okwudili Ani.

The police attempted to arrest Okwudili Ani in Umuode Community, but he managed to escape and is currently on the run.

At the time of filing this report, the two arrested suspects had been arraigned before the Enugu North Magistrate Court on four counts and were remanded at the Enugu Correctional Center.

The remains of Mr. Ejike Nnaji are still in the morgue.

Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mba, has reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for crime and criminality in the state.

The people of Oruku have heaved a sigh of relief over this development and urged the police command not to relent in apprehending the remaining criminals and bringing them to justice. They also called for an investigation into the source of the weapons in the suspects’ possession.

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