Imo Police parade notorious gang who murdered victims, buried them in shallow grave

The Imo State Police Command on Monday, paraded notorious crime suspects including kidnap suspects who murdered two victims and buried them in a shallow grave after collecting N100, 000 ransom.

The Command also presented Commissioner of Police Commendation/Awards to 28 Police Officers’ who displayed uncommon zeal, courage, hard work, commitment, passion and above average in crime fighting in the State.

In attendance during the occasion was the Secretary to the Government of Imo State (SGI) who represented His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Imo State, Rochas Anayo Okorocha.

Other prominent personalities who graced the occasion include the Chairmen of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Eminent Persons’ Forum, the Secretary, Council of Traditional Rulers Imo State, representatives of the Arch Bishop of Owerri Catholic Arch Diocese and the Bishop of Orlu Diocese as well as other distinguished personalities.

The Commissioner of Police address and suspects paraded during the occasion are contained below:

You may recall that on 7th of September, 2017 precisely 4days ago when I addressed you and paraded suspects who kidnapped and murdered Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo, kidnapped and robbed Prince Chinedu Nwadike and those who kidnapped and robbed Messrs. John Bosco Okoro and Njoku Matthias Emeka, I promised the following:

i. That the courage and tenacity of the men of SARS and Anti-Kidnapping Squad whose hard work yielded the result shall be rewarded.

ii. I also promised that crime fighting, operation blow the whistle and expose the criminals is an ongoing exercise and very soon more suspects will be paraded.

2. Today’s ceremony is therefore in fulfillment of my promise to reward my Staff who have displayed uncommon zeal, Courage, hardwork, Committement, passion and above average intelligence in the apprehension of the men of the under world who have made life unbearable for our people. I congratulate them for being true professionals who have sworn to protect lives and property even at the risk of paying supreme sacrifices. The result of hard work anyway is more work. The job is yet to 

be finished because criminals are never on casual or annual leave. We must continue to collectively work round the clock to ensure that Imolites sleep with their both eyes closed. Let me also admonish any of us who have been routine in his/her approach to professional duties to step up the game because indolence, unprofessional conducts, sabotage and criminal behavior shall be punished just as good deeds are rewarded. Furthermore, Imolites have been wonderful in their support for Police efforts especially in the last few weeks. We shall continue to seek genuine, strategic and mutually beneficial partnership with all Sections of the Imo society so as to make Imo safer and better.

3. ACHIEVEMENTS:-

In line with our resolve to fight crime with renewed vigour, the following modest achievements were recorded:-

i. ARREST OF SUSPECTED TERRORIST/ARMED ROBBER AND RECOVERY OF ASSORTED CALIBER OF AMMUNITION:-

SUSPECT: ONYEDIKACHI IYAKA, MALE, 16 YEARS OF UMUCHOKWU UKWU VILLAGE, EHIME MBANO LGA

EXHIBITS: 1. 400 rounds of chained GPMG live ammunition

2. 1, 016 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition

3. One AK 47 empty magazine

4. One K2 empty magazine

5. One Army camouflage bullet proof vest

6. One Police bullet proof vest

7. One blue Police raincoat

8. One green berret cap

9. One empty ammunition box

On 08/09/2017, operatives of the Command Special Anti Robbery Squad arrested the above named suspect at Egbelu Awaka in Owerri North LGA following a tip-off. When search was conducted in his house, the above listed exhibits were recovered. Investigation has commenced. However, the quantum and Calibre of exhibits recovered underscores the need for Community vigilance, surveillance and strategic information flow.

ii. ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS/MURDERER:-

SUSPECT: KINGSLEY ALAUKWU, MALE, 25 YEARS OF UMUOSO MGBUSHI IN OHAJI EGBEMA LGA

VICTIMS: 1. GABRIEL ALAUKWU, MALE, 67 YEARS

2. INIOBONG SUNDAY, MALE, 38 YEARS BOTH LATE

On 5/8/2017, the above named victims were kidnapped at Nkaraha in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, later murdered and buried in a shallow grave after collecting #100, 000 ransom. On 25/8/2017 following a painstaking investigation, operatives of the Command Anti kidnapping Squad arrested the above named suspect who in company of two others now at large kidnapped and murdered the victims. Suspect has confessed to the crime and has mentioned his cohorts as Ugochukwu Ekezie and Emeka Onuegbu now at large. They are gang members of one Uju Promise Ekene earlier declared wanted by the Police, all of whom are from Mgbishi in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State. The decomposed corpses of the victims have been exhumed and appropriately relocated. I take this opportunity to further declare Ugochukwu Ekezie ‘m’ and Emeka Onuegbu ‘m’ wanted. The detailed description of their persons and habits will be given by the Police PRO in due course. 

iii. ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAP SUSPECT/RECOVERY OF LOCALLY MADE PISTOL:-

SUSPECT: (1) KABIRU GARBA ‘M’ 26YRS of Gumel in Jigawa State.

VICTIMS: TOCHUKWU OKEKE ‘M’

EKEMEZIE OKEKE ‘M’ BOTH OF MBAITOLI L.G.A

EXHIBITS: ONE LOCALLY MADE PISTOL

Victim’s Telephone Handset and necklace

Sequel to the kidnap of the above named victims on 02/08/2017 and following their successful rescue by operatives of the command, on 05/09/2017 at Ama Hausa Owerri, the above named suspect was arrested by operatives of the command in connection with the crime. Suspect has confessed to the crime. The telephone handset and necklace belonging to one of the victims were found in his possession. Investigation has commenced and efforts are in top gear to apprehend other members of the gang. 

iv. ARREST OF KIDNAP/ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT AND RECOVERY OF STOLEN VEHICLE;-

SUSPECT: UCHE PAUL IKEWELUGO ‘M’ 32 YEARS OF AWKA ANAMBRA STATE

VICTIM: MRS EVANGELINE CHIDI OPARA ‘F’ OF NO 16 MCC URATTA ROAD OWERRI

EXHIBIT: ONE LEXUS 300 SUV JEEP WITH REG. NO. BGM-735-RD

On 03/06/2017, the above named victim was kidnapped and her white Lexus 330 Jeep taken away to unknown destination. She was later released after paying a ransom of N250, 000. 00.

                    

On 07/08/2017, operatives of the Command in the course of thorough investigation arrested the above named suspect in connection with the crime and recovered the victim's vehicle where it was placed for sale in Anambra State. Investigation is on-going.

In conclusion, I wish to thank the Government and people of Imo State for their wonderful support in our efforts to stop criminal impunity. As Christmas is approaching, we shall increase the tempo of our game. We need your support in being law abiding and blowing the whistle regularly.

                                          

In all, 28 Officers shall be honoured in this ceremony – 18 for their efforts in the arrest of suspects who kidnapped and murdered Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo; 5 for their efforts in resolving the kidnapping/ armed robbery that involved the Gospel Singer Prince Chinedu Nwadike as a victim and another 5 for their hard work in the case of Johnbosco Okoro and one other as victims. They will receive Commissioner’s Commendation Certificates and together also receive cash award of #1,000,000.00 (One million naira only).

This is far from being enough but is expected to act as a motivation to further good works.

God bless all of us.