Metro
Vigilante member arrested over lover’s death in Imo
By Francesca Hangeior
The Imo State Police Command has arrested one Chinenye Nwaneri, for allegedly killing his lover, Chienyenwa Nnodua,
Parading the suspect at the command’s headquarters in Owerri, the state capital on Tuesday, the police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, disclosed that the deceased’s lifeless body was recovered from a gutter at Madumere Street, Christ Road, Owerri, by policemen following a distress call.
He disclosed that the investigation revealed that the deceased was with her lover, Nwaneri, on the same night she was killed, adding that the suspect allegedly had a hand in the death.
The state police spokesperson disclosed that the deceased’s body had been sent to a forensic pathologist to ascertain the cause of death.
He said that the suspect would be charged after the investigation.
Okoye said, “Following a distress call received from Bishop Silas Anoruo on January 7, 2024, that the lifeless body of a young lady was seen inside a gutter in front of his uncompleted building at Madumere Street, Christ Road, Owerri, operatives of Owerri Urban Divisional Headquarters mobilised to the scene, recovered the corpse and deposited same for autopsy.
“Preliminary investigation unveiled the identity of the deceased as Chienyenwa Nnodua and further revealed that she was seen last with her alleged lover Chinenye Nwaneri ‘m’, of No. 43, Christ Church Road, Owerri, trekking down to his house very late in the night on 5/01/2024.
“This raised suspicion which prompted the determined operatives to invite Chinenye Nwaneri, a member of the Umuodu vigilante group for questioning.
“On interrogation, Chinenye Nwaneri initially denied knowing the deceased but later confessed after he was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department that he was with the deceased the night before she was found dead in a gutter but denied that she was his lover.”
The spokesperson added that the sister of the deceased noted that Nwaneri was her “late sister’s boyfriend for four years,” adding that the deceased “informed her on 5/02/2024 that she was going to spend the night in the suspect’s house.”
Also, a vigilante member who was on night duty with Nwaneri added that “he saw him at midnight” with the deceased while he (the vigilante member) was on “foot patrol.”
Okoye said, “Competent witnesses including the sister of the deceased and a vigilante member who was on night guard duty with him volunteered statements to the police. The sister of the deceased stated that the suspect was her late sister’s boyfriend for four years, narrating further that her sister informed her on 5/02/2024 that she was going to spend a night in the suspect’s house.
“The vigilante who was on night duty with the suspect stated that he saw him at midnight with the deceased along Christ Church Road while on foot patrol.
“Investigation is still ongoing, the body of the deceased has been sent to a forensic pathologist to ascertain the cause of death. The case will be charged to court pending the outcome of the investigation.”
n another development, policemen have nabbed one Onwuhara Nwachuku for allegedly stabbing a 57-year-old, Theophilus Ukwe, to death.
Okoye revealed that the Nwachuku, 27, who had confessed to the crime, killed the victim because the deceased approached him with a cutlass on his farm while he was harvesting his palm fruit.
Okoye said, “In another different development, operatives of Imo State Police Command arrested one Onwuhara Nwachukwu, ‘m’, 27 yrs for stabbing to death one Theophilus Ukwe ‘m’ 57yrs over a minor dispute.
“On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime, stating that he gave the deceased a severe machete cut on his body which resulted in his death because the deceased approached him with a cutlass on his farm while he was harvesting his palm fruit. The suspect will certainly have his day in court.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, assures the general public that the command will continue to work tirelessly in providing maximum safety and security for all and sundry in the state.”
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over the killing of a police officer in Delta State.
Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations for 82 Division Nigerian Army said the IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN) kingpin popularly known as ‘Calamity’ was arrested during a raid on the terrorists’ hideout in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Calamity was arrested alongside four others by troops of Sector 2, Operation UDO KA during the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY in the early hours of today, Tuesday, April 21.
According to Ayeni, the operation was conducted by the troops following credible intelligence that linked the suspect and his accomplice to the killing of a police officer.
He added that another individual was also injured by the suspected criminals during an attack at Okuku-Igbo in Oshimili North LGA, Delta State on February 26.
Ayeni stated that during the said attack, the suspects carted away two AK-47 rifles.
“In an attempt to evade arrest after intensified security operations in Delta State, “Calamity” and his men relocated to Ebonyi State to look for a haven and established a new criminal camp to continue their violent activities.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, troops stormed the hideout and apprehended five suspects, including the commander (Calamity) and 4 other suspects who are also key members of IPOB/ESN.
“At the time of arrest, “Calamity” was found in possession of a black handbag containing five mobile phones and numerous keys,” Ayeni said.
He mentioned other items recovered from the suspects include a black Kcsanya motorcycle.
The suspects, he said, are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to dismantle the wider network of criminal collaborators and recover other weapons hidden by the group.
“This successful operation underscores the determination of the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies to neutralise terrorist threats, restore peace, and protect law-abiding citizens across the region.
“The military reiterates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and calls on members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely information that will aid ongoing operations,” Ayeni noted.
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a prophetess and a suspected ‘fake’ midwife in connection with separate cases of maternal and infant deaths in the Akure and Emure-Ile areas of the state.
The arrests, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the police spokesperson in the state, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, followed incidents recorded earlier this month in which two women and their newborns died after childbirth was handled outside recognised medical facilities.
Abayomi said the prophetess identified as Blessing Efiong was apprehended in Emure-Ile after allegedly conducting the delivery of a 20-year-old woman, Jenifer Sunday, inside a church.
He explained that Augustine Kufre reported the case on April 11, stating that his girlfriend was taken to the church after she went into labour.
“The newborn reportedly died at the scene, while the mother died on the way to the hospital following complications,” Abayomi said.
In a related development, operatives of the command also apprehended one Elizabeth Aremu in Akure for allegedly posing as a midwife.
DSP Abayomi said the incident, reported on April 16, involved the death of a woman, Blessing Lawal, who was said to have gone into labour at Aremu’s residence in the Gloryland area, off Ado Road.
According to him, the victim developed complications shortly after delivery and died before she could be rushed to a medical facility.
He said detectives who visited the scene discovered the newborn’s lifeless body wrapped in a sack.
Abayomi said the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo morgue for preservation and autopsy.
He added that investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incidents and bring those found culpable to justice.
Abayomi, however, cautioned residents against patronising unqualified individuals for medical services, especially during childbirth, stressing the need to seek care from licensed health professionals.
“In both cases, detectives from the Command have commenced thorough investigations. The remains of the deceased mothers and their infants have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, and the Federal Medical Centre morgue, respectively, for preservation and autopsy.
“The Ondo State Police Command assures the public that diligent investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding these tragic incidents and to ensure that all persons found culpable are brought to justice.
“The Command strongly advises members of the public to always seek medical care from qualified and licensed healthcare providers, particularly in critical situations such as childbirth, and to avoid unregulated facilities or individuals posing as medical practitioners,” he said.
The command reiterated its resolve to protect lives and clamp down on all forms of criminal negligence in the state.
Tension is mounting in Benue State after bandits demanded ₦9 million each for two students believed to be JAMB candidates abducted from a commercial bus, even as the Nigeria Police Force announced a major breakthrough with the arrest of seven suspects and the rescue of some victims.
The victims were among passengers seized on Wednesday when gunmen intercepted an 18-seater Benue Links bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo, forcing occupants into nearby bush paths in what has become a chilling pattern of highway kidnappings in the region.
Family In Distress As Ransom Soars
In an emotional appeal, the father of two of the abducted students said the kidnappers have escalated their demands after a series of confusing negotiations, leaving the family devastated and helpless.
According to him, the abductors initially demanded ₦10 million for each of the victims before briefly dropping the figure to ₦500,000, only to return with a hardline demand of ₦9 million per child.
“I have two children that were kidnapped in that bus and none of them has been released,” the distraught father said.
“They first asked for ₦10 million each, later said ₦500,000, but now they insist on ₦9 million each. We are still begging them.”
The father, who spoke under anonymity for security reasons, revealed that his children were travelling from Nasarawa State when they fell into the hands of the kidnappers after boarding the ill-fated vehicle.
“Even if you sell me, I cannot be worth the ₦9 million they are asking for each of them,” he lamented.
He said the incident has thrown the family into emotional turmoil, disclosing that his wife has not eaten since the abduction, while the family now clings to hope for government intervention.
Sources say several of the victims were young travellers, including students heading to write examinations, heightening public outrage over the targeting of vulnerable citizens on Nigerian highways.
The attack has again spotlighted the growing insecurity along major routes in Benue and neighbouring states, where bandits and suspected armed herdsmen have increasingly tightened their grip.
Amid the rising anxiety, the Benue State Police Command confirmed a breakthrough in the ongoing rescue operation.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, the command said a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies has yielded results.
“The Benue State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a significant breakthrough following the kidnapping incident,” the statement read.
According to the police, operatives launched a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and surrounding areas, leading to the rescue of some victims, who are now receiving medical attention.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in custody as investigations continue.
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