Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Police in Ebonyi have bust an organ harvesting ring responsible for the death of at least three persons in the state.
Spokesperson of the Police, Joshua Ukandu, stated this in Abakaliki on Thursday.
He noted that four persons suspected to be part of the organ harvesting ring were arrested following painstaking investigation and credible intelligence into the matter.
The spokesperson said the suspects confessed to being responsible for the murder of Chikezie Idenyi.
According to him: “One Mrs. Blessing Chikezie Onyekachi had reported to the command of her missing husband, Mr. Chikezie Idenyi, who left home on 14th September, 2024 on a supposed business trip to Lagos but was not heard from again.
“Police investigation led to the arrest of one Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi who made useful statements that led the police to arrest Obinna Nwanguru and Oda Peter”
“They confessed to killing Chikezie Idenyi, Chibu Odii and Eze Fabian on different dates while trying to extract their blood/organs to use it to cure a cognitively impaired person (Down syndrome),” Mr Ukandu said.
He noted that the corpses of Chikezie Idenyi and Chibu Odii were subsequently recovered while effort is ongoing to recover the remains of the third victim.
177 suspects arrested in October
Mr Ụkandu stated this while giving update on Police crime fighting activities in October, 2024
He noted that 162 males and 15 females, totalling 177 suspects were arrested for various offences within the period under review.
According to him 92 suspects have already been charged in court, while others will be arraigned once investigations are complete.
He said that under the new Commissioner of Police, Anthonia A. Uche-Anya, the Police in the state has employed strategic steps through increased stakeholder engagement to help bring crime to the barest minimum.
“Through this approach, we have been able to reduce the incidence of violent crimes, while operatives of the command are not relenting in our effort to make the state safe for all.”
Murder of Monarch
Mr Ukandu revealed that the Police arested one Chukwuebuka Okemiri over alleged murder of a Monarch, Ezeogo Ibo Ubani.
The late Ubani was until his death the traditional ruler of Ihie Autonomous community in Akaeze, Ivo LGA of the State.
Ukandu said the monarch was allegedly murdered by a group of gunmen led by the suspect on 3rd May 2024.
He said efforts are still ongoing to arrest other members of the group who are still at large.
Kidnapping
The Police Spokesperson also revealed that the Police freed a kidnap victim, Miss Nwigbo, who was allegedly kidnapped and held hostage in a Forest behind Okwagba Primary School by one Ominiyi Friday, Ubochi Ifeanyi and others at large.
He said: “The kidnappers raped and held the victim for four days while they collected a ransom of ₦400,000 before they freed the victim.
“On 22nd October, 2024 operatives of the command who had been on the trail of the kidnappers arrested the 2 suspects while effort is ongoing to arrest others at large. They will be arraigned in court to answer for their crimes.”
Gun recovery/unlawful firearm possession
Mr Ukandu said the Police recovered a Barretta pistol belonging to a police officer and a single barrel gun from various parts of the state.
He said operatives of the command attached to the crack unit acting on credible intelligence nabbed one Utobo Onyekachi, AKA “Azaman,” who is a member of a notorious armed robbery syndicate terrorising citizens within Abakaliki.
“The suspect led the police officers to the syndicate’s hideout in Igbeagu Izzi, where his gang members, upon sighting the police officers, took to their heels and abandoned one Barretta pistol, which was recovered.
“Upon investigation, it was found to have been snatched from a police officer.”
“The command successfully addressed a critical situation in Umuezeali Oriuzor Community, Ezza North LGA where a notorious individual, Friday James Nworie, had been terrorising the community.
“Following a tip, the command apprehended him and during interrogation, Nworie confessed to possessing a locally-made single-barrel pistol, which was recovered along with five live cartridges,” Mr Ukandu said.
