The Anambra State Police Command paraded a middle-aged driver yesterday for allegedly conspiring with another suspect to kill his employer, Bishop Chinedu of End-Reconciliation Ministry in Asaba, Delta State. The suspect attempted to dispose of the late cleric's Toyota Prado Jeep in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Council of Anambra State, where the vehicle sale reportedly failed.
Police Investigation Details
Addressing journalists in Awka, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed that the driver allegedly conspired with another suspect to murder the cleric in Asaba last Monday. According to Orutugu, the driver, who had been working for the bishop, collaborated with others to kill him with the intention of profiting from the sale of the victim's vehicle.
After allegedly killing the bishop, the suspects contacted a car dealer at the Mgbuka Spare Parts Market in Idemili North Local Council to dispose of the Toyota Prado Jeep, but their plan failed. Orutugu revealed that the last prospective buyer became suspicious of the transaction and alerted security operatives, leading to the swift arrest of the suspects.
Arrest and Recovery
The commissioner stated: “The breakthrough followed a swift intelligence-led operation by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle. Police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, tracked and intercepted the suspects in Nkpor, recovered the stolen vehicle, and took them into custody for further interrogation.”
The arrest followed effective inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing between the Anambra and Delta State police commands. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
Call for Community Assistance
Orutugu called on traditional rulers, community leaders, local vigilance groups, and residents to provide useful information that could assist the command in tracking criminal activities across the state. He noted that the sustained offensive against criminal elements had forced many of them to flee and regroup elsewhere because they had “lost the ability to operate in the South-East zone.” He stressed that timely intelligence from residents would help security agencies track down the hoodlums.
The commissioner further assured the public that the command remained committed to proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations, and collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property in the state.
Additional Arrest
In another development, Orutugu disclosed that the command had arrested a suspected member of the Vikings Confraternity, identified as Favour Izunna, popularly known as “Njoku.” Items recovered from the suspect included one pump-action gun and one locally made Beretta pistol.
