Metro

Why Killers Of Anambra Siblings Have Not Been Unraveled 7 Months After — Police

Published

1 month ago

September 17, 2025

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.

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.

“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.’’

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.

“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)

Metro

Newborn Rescued As Police Bust Anambra Child Trafficking Syndicate

Published

18 minutes ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a newborn following the arrest of four suspects in connection with child trafficking in Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, revealed this in a statement in Awka, the state capital, on Tuesday.

Ikenga stated that police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, acting on credible intelligence, arrested the suspects in the early hours of Tuesday.

He further noted that during the raid, the operatives rescued the one-week-old baby girl and arrested the four female suspects in connection with a case of conspiracy and child trafficking.

The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command, through its operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in the early hours of Tuesday, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a location identified as Mama Maternity situated at Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.

“During the raid, the operatives rescued a one-week-old baby girl and arrested four female suspects in connection with a case of conspiracy and child trafficking.

“The arrested suspects include: Elizabeth Okafor, 62 years; Esther Nweke, 48 years; Ngozi Maanfa, 45 years; and Peace Elijah Moses, 25 years, respectively.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects conspired among themselves and allegedly purchased a newborn baby girl, barely a week old, for the sum of N1.7m.

“They had reportedly paid an advance sum of N350m to the purported biological mother of the child, identified as Peace Elijah Moses, who is among the arrested persons.”

According to him, the baby girl has been safely rescued and is currently under protective care, while the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the Case to the State Criminal Investigation Department Gender Unit, Awka, for discreet investigation and necessary prosecution.

“The CP also reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of children and the ongoing fight against all forms of human trafficking in the State,” he added.

The PUNCH had in July 2025 reported that the Anambra State Police Command investigated and busted an interstate child stealing/abduction and trafficking syndicate operating in Uruagu, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

The command stated that during the operation carried out by police operatives attached to the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, in collaboration with Adamawa police operatives, on July 15, one suspect was arrested, while 11 children — comprising five boys and six girls — were rescued.

Ikenga, who disclosed the development to journalists, said the investigation revealed that the children were abducted/stolen and transported from Adamawa State.

Ikenga added that the children were illegally given to unsuspecting members of the public seeking adoption for N1.5m for the boys and N800,000 only for the girls, respectively.

Metro

Court Orders Permanent Forfeiture Of $49,700 Recovered From Ex-INEC Official

Published

41 minutes ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 allegedly recovered from Dr Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Sokoto State, during the 2023 general elections.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, moved a motion seeking the final forfeiture of the money.

Akponimisingha informed the court that the ICPC had complied with its earlier order directing temporary forfeiture of the funds and that a public notice had been issued inviting any interested parties to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

He noted, however, that no objections or representations had been received since the publication.

“We therefore seek an order permanently forfeiting the sum of $49,700 to the Federal Government, in view of the compliance with the interim order and the absence of any opposition,” Akponimisingha said.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the application had merit.

“I have listened to the submission of learned counsel for the applicant and carefully examined the supporting affidavit. I am satisfied that the application is meritorious. Consequently, it is hereby granted,” the judge ruled.

The trial judge had, on December 30, 2024, granted an interim forfeiture order following an ex parte motion jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS). The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, sought temporary forfeiture of the recovered sum pending the outcome of further investigations.

The application, signed by Mr Usman Dauda, Director of Legal Services for the DSS, and filed by Akponimisingha on behalf of the ICPC, stated that the money was found during a search conducted by DSS operatives at Dr Ali’s residence in Kano.

According to the supporting affidavit deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, intelligence reports alleged that Dr Ali received bribes from political stakeholders while serving as INEC REC in Sokoto State.

Markus stated that during the search, $49,700 was recovered, and Dr Ali, in his statement, claimed that the money was a gift from former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and Senator Aliyu Wamakko. He also noted that Ali later wrote to the DSS requesting the release of the seized funds.

The ICPC maintained that INEC does not pay its staff in US dollars, and that the recovered money was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Following the interim order, the court had directed the publication of a notice in a national newspaper inviting interested parties to show cause why the funds should not be forfeited.

After confirming compliance and noting that no objections were received, the court granted the ICPC’s request for the final forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.

Metro

Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Gun Peddlers In Delta

Published

1 hour ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a gang of suspected cultists and gun peddlers and recovered from the hoodlums multiple firearms and ammunition.

This was contained in a statement issued by the police public relations officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday.

The police spokesman stated that the Command succeeded in tightening the net on violent crime with two decisive operations that led to arrests and the recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition.

According to him, on October 25, 2025, at about 1800hrs, a resident of Aviara community, under Oleh Division, intimated the police that on 22nd October, 2025, at about 0812hrs, a video depicting suspected Eiye cult activity was posted on a WhatsApp group known as “Real Men”.

Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Oleh Division, CSP Keme Osuluku, detailed his operatives to investigate the matter discreetly.

He said, “At 0800hrs on 26 October 2025, acting on preliminary findings, the operatives arrested the suspect linked to the post, Donatus Odovo, male (29), of Aviara community.

“Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of Zachariah Okeh, male (36), alleged to be an Eiye cult leader in Aviara.

“During execution of a search warrant at his residence, officers recovered one locally made double-barrelled gun, one locally made single-barrelled gun, and six live cartridges.”

Consequently, the exhibits were secured, and the suspects were taken into custody for further questioning, the PPRO said.

While noting that efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional collaborators, the PPRO maintained that “the actions, driven by credible intelligence, sent a clear signal to cult groups and robbery syndicates that the State is not a safe harbour”.

In another development, on October 27, 2025, at about 1345hrs, Rapid Response Squad operatives, while on stop-and-search duty along the Asaba-Benin expressway, intercepted a Toyota RAV4 with registration number EPE 189 GN.

The driver, Mordi Emmanuel (45), of No. 74, Family Estate, Asaba, complied with routine checks.

However, inside an envelope found in the vehicle, the police officers recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol with breech No. 5182207, with four live rounds.

Acting under the operational direction of the Rapid Response Squad Commander, CSP Nosa Alex, who coordinated the deployment and approved immediate follow-up actions, a team executed a duly obtained search warrant at the suspect’s residence, during which one pump-action shotgun with breech No. 20-R-3921, and four live cartridges were recovered from the house and premises.

The suspect and the exhibits are currently in custody while the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has commended the vigilance of residents and the professionalism displayed by the officers involved.

The police boss reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and the unlawful possession of firearms, while also restating “the commitment to intelligence-led policing, community partnership, and strict respect for the law”.

He urged members of the public to remain security-conscious and to share timely, credible information with the police.