Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command at Abagana Division have arrested four suspects, including a 21-year-old lady, Chinenye Ekwenugo, for their alleged involvement in the gruesome murder of a 74-year-old woman in a wheelchair.
The incident occurred at Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, with reports indicating that the victim was set ablaze before being discovered by security operatives.
The other suspects arrested in connection with the case are Uzochukwu Okeke, 47; Fidel Anayo, 60; and Ikenna Anene, 54—all residents of Abagana.
The police confirmed the recovery of the victim’s charred remains, her wheelchair, and a casket believed to have been prepared for burial.
In a statement issued on Monday, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the State Police Public Relations Officer, revealed, “During interrogation, the suspect Chinenye confessed that her boyfriend, Ifeanyi Igwe, and three others orchestrated the attack, which led to the woman’s death. They had also procured a casket to bury her before police intervention.”
The police have launched a manhunt for Ifeanyi Igwe, identified as the prime suspect, who is currently at large. Meanwhile, the deceased’s remains have been deposited in a morgue for an autopsy to aid the investigation.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, called for calm and assured the public of a thorough investigation. “I have directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive probe,” he stated.
In a separate operation, the Anti-Cult Unit of the Anambra Police Command arrested 25-year-old Maduka Okoye from Abagana following a shooting incident in the Ezichike community. Acting on credible intelligence, officers apprehended the suspect on January 25, 2025, at about 1:30 p.m.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed that Okoye admitted to being a member of the Baggars Confraternity and claimed the shooting occurred after a rival group, the Axe Men Confraternity, attacked him at a local beer parlour.
“Police operatives acted swiftly, restoring peace in the area and launching a search for the fleeing gang members,” Ikenga added. Three expended cartridges from a pump-action gun were recovered at the scene.
A joint operation by police operatives from Oko Division and Amaokpala’s AVG personnel led to a raid on a criminal hideout in Umudike, Orumba North Local Government Area, on January 25, 2025, at around 10:30 p.m.
Items recovered included large quantities of substances suspected to be hard drugs, two mobile phones, and ₦73,150 in cash, believed to be proceeds from drug sales.
According to the police, the suspects fled into nearby bushes upon sighting the operatives. The joint team destroyed the criminal camp and is monitoring the area to prevent regrouping.
In another development, officers of the Special Anti-Cult Squad arrested two men, Raphael Peverga and Saakura Teryima, both aged 22, at a checkpoint on the Umudioka-Awkuzu road.
The suspects, who hail from Benue State, were traveling in a white Toyota Corolla with registration number YAB 26 CB.
SP Ikenga stated, “The suspects attempted to evade arrest by jumping out of the moving vehicle when signaled to stop for a security search. However, operatives apprehended two of them and recovered one Beretta pistol, two live rounds of ammunition, and the vehicle.” Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining two suspects who fled the scene.
The Anambra Police Command reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and urged the public to provide credible information to assist in tackling crime across the state.
