The Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command,CP Ikioye Orutugu, has given reasons why the killers of three siblings in the state have not been unmasked seven months after the incident happened in Nnewichi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing a press conference at the command headquarters in Awka, on Monday, Orutugu, said though investigation into the killing is still ongoing, it has been slow down by forensic challenges.

The three siblings namely Chikaima Ejezie, female (nine); Chimdirim Ejezie, male (five); and Chimziterem Ejezie, female, (eight) were reportedly killed and their lifeless bodies found inside a freezer in their apartment on February 1.

It was reportedly gathered that the killers invaded their apartment while the children were inside, killed them and inserted their lifeless bodies into the freezer in one of the rooms.

READ ALSO:Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

However, fielding questions from newsmen on why no suspects have been unmasked ,the CP said while the police are working hard to unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act, it is noteworthy for people to know that homicide crime takes longer time to conclude due to the extensive investigations involved in the exercise.

He said, ‘On the case of the three siblings that were killed in Nnewichi, it was a case of homicide and homicide crime takes longer time to unravel because it requires extensive investigations and piecing together the sequence of events surrounding the crime. Gathering enough evidence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“There are also forensic challenges, an autopsy has been conducted and the result is helping with investigations that are still ongoing, we are not relenting in unravelling the perpetrators of the dastardly act. Homicide is the act of killing another human being. It can be classified into different categories, including murder – intentional and unlawful killing, often with malice aforethought.

“It comes with extensive investigations such as proving intent, establishing the perpetrator’s state of mind or intentions, piecing together the sequence of events surrounding the crime, identifying suspects, gathering enough evidence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

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“But we will ensure that perpetrators are brought to book no matter how long it takes’’

The CP also highlighted achievements recorded by the command in the last six months of his assumption of duty as Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command.

He said, “Upon assumption of office, we made a firm commitment to restore public confidence in policing, strengthen collaboration with sister agencies, and ensure that Anambra remains a safe and secure state for all residents and visitors.

“I was confronted with several pressing security concerns, including the disturbing case of a suspect who had escaped custody after being implicated in the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka, as well as other related security issues.’’

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Ex-Soldier, Four Others Over Armed Robbery, Kidnapping In Anambra

He noted that one of the notable successes of the command in the last six months was the re-arrest of the suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of the member, Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka.

“This breakthrough underscores our unwavering resolve to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes

“We began by engaging and visiting key security stakeholders to improve cooperation, strengthen intelligence sharing, and enhance operational support for the Police and other security agencies. This partnership has enhanced intelligence gathering, community cooperation, and timely crime reporting

“In a decisive move to combat kidnapping, violent crimes, and other criminal activities, the Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, launched Operation Zero Kidnapping. This joint operation has significantly disrupted the activities of criminal gangs and brought the rate of kidnapping in the state to zero.

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“In the past six months, the Command has recorded significant achievements, including recovery of over 300 arms, 20 explosives, more than 1,000 ammunition, and more than 30 vehicles. Destruction of more than five criminal camps.

Arrest of over 200 suspects, including cultists, separatist agitators, and armed robbers.

“One of the notable successes was the re-arrest of the suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka. This breakthrough underscores our unwavering resolve to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes.

“The Command has explored the use of Alternative dispute resolution to resolve so many communal crises, including the boundary dispute between Ikenga and Isiokwe villages in Umueri and Aguleri and others

“While challenges remain, our results so far reaffirm that with sustained collaboration, professionalism, and community trust, we can keep Anambra safe. I commend the command’s officers and men, our sister agencies, and the good people of Anambra State for their support,” the CP added.
(PUNCH)

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.

Okorienta was captured in his hideout at Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, during a joint operation conducted by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in collaboration with other security agencies.

A statement by the Nigerian Army said the raid led to the recovery of an English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, a cartridge, six mobile phones, military and police uniforms, as well as a German flag.

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Troops also uncovered a workshop used for dismantling stolen vehicles for resale and destroyed 10 motorcycles found at the site.

In related operations, troops carried out coordinated missions in Adamawa, Katsina, and Kogi States, rescuing 12 kidnapped victims. Five persons were freed in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa, another five in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina, while two others were rescued in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Separately, operatives of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised eight fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province in Borno State. Several others with gunshot wounds were arrested.

READ ALSO:IPOB Faults Soludo For Linking Igbo Youths To Kidnapping

According to a military statement, the encounter occurred in the early hours of Monday after terrorists laid an ambush near Garin Giwa along the Baga–Cross Kauwa Main Supply Route.

“During the exchange of fire, eight ISWAP fighters were neutralised, including two Munzirs and one Qaid,” the statement added.

…victim paralysed, unconscious

Edo State Migration Agency has rescued 27-year-old Godstime Uwoghiren who was allegedly poisoned by his friends for buying a motorbike in Burkina Faso.

Uwoghiren touched ground at the Benin Airport on Wednesday at about 1:00PM alongside the Director-General of the agency, Lucky Agazuma and other staff, paralysed and unconscious.

The victim was hurriedly picked up by a waiting ambulance and rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin, for emergency medical attention.

Addressing journalists at the airport, the agency DG said the state government was informed of an Edo indigene that was poisoned by his friends for envy of buying a motorbike in Burkina Faso, stressing that Governor Monday Okpehbolo immediately directed the agency to repatriate the victim.

READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra

Agazuma lamented that all efforts to get necessary information about the victim were frustrated by his immediate family, saying “after a good four months, our efforts yielded results and here we are with Godstime.”

He added: “When they reached out to Mr. Governor that Mr. Godstime is sick, paralysed, and that he was poisoned in Burkina Faso for the fact that he bought a bike, the only contact person we were given was his sister. We asked her to lead us to the family but she refused for good four months. Today, she is crying profusely. We are taking her to our office for further investigation.

“And to our surprise, at the early stage of this rescue mission, the family rejected, but Governor Okpehbolo insisted that we must go and rescue him, and we succeeded,”  he said.

READ ALSO:Edo Agency Intercepts 14-yr-old Sickle Cell Sufferer, Others, Trafficked To Libya, Mali

Agazuma, who thanked the governor for providing all the necessary resources needed, stated: “Governor Monday Okpehbolo is not for provision of infrastructure alone, he is concerned about humanity, this he has been exhibiting.”

He urged parents to warn their children that “not all the glitters is gold,” adding “many Nigerians are suffering over there.”

Mother of the victim, Mrs. Susan Uwoghiren, while thanking Okpehbolo for coming to the victim’s rescue, narrated: “He came to Benin from the village to learn how to drive truck, but suddenly he called his father that we was traveling out, we asked him how, he said we shouldn’t worry, the next time we heard from him was when he called that he was in Burkina Faso. We were talking regulularly not until recently that we didn’t hear from him, and when we carried out our investigation, we were told he was seriously sick, so I told my pastor about it and we started praying. Thank God he is back.”