The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 177 suspects involved in a range of serious crimes, including organ harvesting, ritual killings, murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and illegal firearm possession.
This was announced in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joshua Ukandu, on Friday. Among the suspects, 92 have been charged to court, with the remaining individuals set for arraignment upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
DSP Ukandu noted that the suspects comprise 162 males and 15 females, with arrests made possible through the command’s rigorous operations and commitment to community policing.
He emphasized that Ebonyi’s police force is determined to bring perpetrators to justice and restore peace across affected communities.
Recounting a significant case, Ukandu explained that on October 11, Mrs. Blessing Chikezie Onyekachi reported her husband, Chikezie Idenyi, missing since September 14, when he departed for a business trip to Lagos.
Through in-depth investigations, police operatives detained suspects Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi, whose statements led to the capture of Obinna Nwanguru and Oda Peter.
“The suspects confessed to murdering Chikezie and two other victims, attempting to use their blood and organs in rituals,” Ukandu revealed, adding that efforts are ongoing to locate the remains of all victims.
He further disclosed a recent case of abduction involving one Miss Nwigbo, who was kidnapped on October 17 and held captive in a forest behind Okwagba Primary School.
The suspects, identified as Ominiyi Friday, Ubochi Ifeanyi, and others, allegedly assaulted her and collected a ₦400,000 ransom before releasing her.
“Following a targeted operation, our officers arrested two suspects on October 22 and are pursuing others involved,” he said.
In another incident, DSP Ukandu shared that police apprehended one Chukwuebuka Okemiri for his role in the May 3 murder of HRH Ezeogo Ibo Ubani, the traditional ruler of Ihie Autonomous Community. Efforts to locate and arrest his accomplices are ongoing.
The PPRO reiterated the command’s commitment to reducing crime through active community engagement, strategic operations, and stakeholder collaboration under CP Anthonia Uche-Anya’s leadership.
He added, “Our proactive approach has already resulted in a noticeable decline in violent crime across Ebonyi State.”
