The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended two individuals on charges of armed robbery and rape. The arrests, which took place on Saturday, led to the recovery of locally made firearms, six live cartridges, and a motorcycle.
The state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, revealed in a press statement on Sunday that the suspects were detained by police operatives from the Abagana Division in Njikoka Local Government Area.
“In the early hours of June 15, 2024, police operatives attached to the Abagana Division arrested two serial offenders wanted for alleged rape and armed robbery. They recovered two locally-made double-barrel guns, one locally-made single-barrel gun, six live cartridges, and a Q-link motorcycle,” Ikenga stated.
The suspects, identified as Chukwuma Diji, also known as Sympathy or Chi-boy, aged 35, from Obinagu Umudun Village, Abagana, and Michael Edochie, also known as Mikel, aged 31, from Eziabunabu Umudun, Abagana, were previously involved in a rape case in 2023. They allegedly raped a married woman in Obinagu Abagana and fled when security forces attempted to arrest them.
On June 6, 2024, the suspects allegedly broke into an apartment, raping a young lady and her friend at gunpoint. They reportedly forced one of the victims to transfer money to their account after assaulting them.
Both Chukwuma and Michael have confessed to the crimes. The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Nnaghe Itam, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victims.
The suspects will be arraigned in court following the conclusion of the investigation.
