The Ebonyi State Police Command has achieved a significant breakthrough in the fight against crime, with the arrest of suspects involved in organ harvesting, ritual killings, kidnapping, and other crimes. During a press briefing at the state police headquarters in Abakaliki, Police Public Relations Officer Joshua Ukandu provided updates on the Command’s recent achievements under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Anthonia Uche-Anya.
Ukandu noted that strategic community engagement and stakeholder cooperation have helped to curb violent crime across the state. A total of 177 suspects were arrested in October, including 162 males and 15 females. Ninety-two suspects have already been charged, with others pending investigation.
Among the most shocking cases was the arrest of a syndicate involved in organ harvesting and ritual killings. On October 11, Mrs. Blessing Chikezie Onyekachi reported her husband, Mr. Chikezie Idenyi, missing after he had left for a supposed business trip in Lagos on September 14. Investigations led to the arrest of Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi, who confessed to murdering Idenyi and two others, Chibu Odii and Eze Fabian, for the purpose of using their organs in an alleged attempt to cure a person with Down syndrome. The police have recovered the bodies of two victims, with efforts ongoing to retrieve the third.
In a separate case on October 17, a young woman, Miss Nwigbo, was kidnapped and held for four days by a gang operating behind Okwagba Primary School. The kidnappers, identified as Ominiyi Friday and Ubochi Ifeanyi, reportedly collected a ransom of ₦400,000 before releasing her. The police have since apprehended the suspects, while other accomplices remain at large.
In another disturbing incident, Chukwuebuka Okemiri was arrested for allegedly conspiring with others to murder the traditional ruler HRH Ezeogo Ibo Ubani of Ihie Autonomous Community in Akaeze Ivo Local Government Area. Police continue to pursue additional suspects in the case.
The Command also reported the recovery of a stolen firearm from a member of a notorious armed robbery syndicate. On October 30, operatives detained Utobo Onyekachi, aka “Azaman,” who led police to a gang hideout where a Barretta pistol, previously taken from a police officer, was recovered.
Additionally, the police apprehended Friday James Nworie, a local community menace, who confessed to possessing a single-barrel pistol and five live cartridges. His arrest was part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing security in Ebonyi through community policing.
The Ebonyi State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help maintain peace and security, especially as the festive season approaches.
Full Statement Below:
PRESS BRIEFING
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the press; on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi Command CP Anthonia A. Uche-Anya, fdc, I want to warmly welcome you to this press briefing.
I am here to update you on our Command’s achievements within October 2024 and our relentless efforts to combat crime and ensure a safe and prosperous environment for socio-economic growth in Ebonyi State.
The command 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.
During the month under review, the command arrested 162 males and 15 females, totaling 177 suspects for various offences. Ninety-two suspects have already been charged in court, while others will be arraigned once investigations are complete.
Summary of Major Achievements:
Organ Harvesting/Ritual Killings: On 11/10/2024, Mrs. Blessing Chikezie Onyekachi reported to the command of her missing husband, Mr. Chikezie Idenyi, who left home on 14/09/2024, told her he was going to Lagos on a business trip, but she did not hear him again. Command operatives from the Anti-kidnapping unit, through a painstaking investigation and credible intelligence, arrested one Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi; they made useful statements, which 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). Operatives of the command have recovered the corpses of Chikezie Idenyi and Chibu Odii while effort is ongoing to recover the remains of the third victim.
Kidnapping: On 17/10/2024, Miss Nwigbo was kidnapped and held hostage in a Forest behind Okwagba Primary School by Ominiyi Friday, Ubochi Ifeanyi and others at large. The kidnappers raped and held the victim for four days while they collected a ransom of ₦400,000 before they freed the victim. On 22/10/2024 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.
Murder: Operatives of the command arrested one Chukwuebuka Okemiri, who conspired with others at large to kill HRH Ezeogo Ibo Ubani, the traditional ruler of Ihie Autonomous community in Akaeze Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State, on 03/05/2024. Efforts are still ongoing to arrest others at large.
Recovery of Gun: On 30/10/2024, 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 with 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 and, upon investigation, was found to have been snatched from a police officer.
Unlawful Possession of Firearms: Hinging on the reinvigorated community policing initiative of the command under the leadership of CP Anthonia A Uche-Anya, fdc, the command successfully addressed a critical situation in Umuezeali Oriuzor Community, Ezza North LGA. A notorious individual, Friday James Nworie, had been terrorizing the community, but following a tip, the command apprehended him. During interrogation, Nworie confessed to possessing a locally-made single-barrel pistol, which was recovered along with five live cartridges.
Thank you!!
DSP JOSHUA UKANDU
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
EBONYI STATE POLICE COMMAND
ABAKALIKI
