The Enugu State Police Command on Friday paraded two suspects involved in the killing of Stephen Aniagu, the Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, who was murdered on September 14, 2024.
The suspects, Chukwudi Aboshi and Ani Ebuka (also known as Excellent), confessed to the crime during their parade at the police headquarters in Enugu. They admitted to being involved in the fatal shooting of Aniagu, along with another victim, whom they claimed was killed for “proving stubborn.”
In a statement to journalists, Ebuka explained that he had been contacted by a gang leader named Obinna, who tasked him with driving one of the stolen vehicles during the attack. “They called me to come and drive one of the stolen Corolla cars. I saw three AK-47 rifles and three pump-action rifles,” Ebuka said. “We drove to Mmaku, and as we were on the way, they said they wanted to steal a vehicle from a man. When he resisted, they shot him, and they shot the second man too.”
Ebuka, who bore visible burns on his body, disclosed that he had been recently set on fire by a vigilante group in Oji River over the theft of tricycles but was saved by a good samaritan. He revealed that he had been functioning as the gang’s logistics supplier.
Aboshi, who operates a cosmetic shop in Gariki, also provided details of the crime. He said, “After closing my shop, Obinna called me, and they picked me up to Topland. We saw a vehicle and decided to take it to Mmaku. The owner refused to let Obinna take the vehicle, so Obinna shot him. Immediately after, we saw another vehicle, stopped it, and shot the owner. I was carrying a pump-action rifle, and we had four AK-47s and one pump-action rifle. We took the stolen vehicles to a forest in Mmaku.”
Aboshi also spoke about the charms found on them and alleged that Obinna had marked his forehead with a fetish symbol for protection during their criminal activities.
Enugu State Police spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed that six other members of the gang remain at large. He noted that the police have intensified their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.
“You will recall that the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, swiftly directed the state security forces to intensify efforts and ensure that all those involved in this crime are apprehended and held accountable,” Ndukwe said.
Through diligent intelligence work and coordinated efforts between detectives from the Anti-Robbery Section (D9) of the State CID and operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, the police arrested the two suspects on November 8 and 9, 2024. During interrogation, both suspects confessed to their involvement in the attack on Aniagu. They provided detailed accounts of how they ambushed Aniagu, stole his vehicle, and shot another man in the same location. The second victim, who was also shot multiple times, survived and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The police continue to search for the remaining members of the gang.
