• IGP says no murderer will go unpunished
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested 16 suspects for complicity in a series of violent and unprovoked attacks on security operatives and facilities in some states of the Federation, particularly in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.
Force Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters
Abuja, CP Frank Mba said the arrest, which was an outcome of painstaking, deliberate and tireless efforts by operatives of the Nigeria Police, working in collaboration with their counterparts from the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Airforce, was aimed at bringing to justice persons responsible for the emerging trend of attacks on security personnel and wanton destruction of security facilities and operational assets.
He said the suspects included Ugochukwu Samuel also known as Biggy, 28-year-old native of Arochukwu Local Government Area in Abia State, Raphael Idang, 31-year-old native of Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River state, Cletus Nwachukwu Egole also known as “Alewa”, 60-years-old native of Orlu in Imo State, Michael Uba, 33yrs from Imo State and 12 others in the course of investigation, were implicated in multiple felonies committed across several states in the South-Eastern part of the Federation.
Mba said the suspects were arrested in various parts of the country following sustained, and intelligence-driven sting operations.
He said police investigations clearly established and linked the suspects to several incidents of attacks and murder of security personnel as well as stealing, unlawful possession of firearms, arson and malicious damage to operational assets of military and law enforcement agents.
“Specifically, investigations revealed that the duo of Ugochukwu Samuel aka Biggy and Raphael Idang were among the criminal elements that attacked policemen on duty at a checkpoint on 24th December, 2020 along Orlu-Ihiala Road in Imo state where two police officers were killed and a Police Hilux patrol van set ablaze.
“In addition, both were part of a larger group that attacked a police reconnaissance team on 13th January, 2021 killing one police officer.
“Ugochukwu Samuel also known as Biggy, who sustained a bullet wound during an attack by his gang on a military convoy in which some soldiers were killed and weapons carted away, was subsequently arrested while receiving treatment in a hospital,” Mba said.
He added that both suspects confessed to being active members of IPOB and ESN.
Mba said Cletus Nwachukwu Egole also known as Alewa, a pastor with the Holy Blessed Trinity Sabbath Church, Orlu, Imo State and Michael Uba, a prophet with the Association of Jewish Faith, who were also arrested, were two of the masterminds of the various attacks on security personnel, in addition to providing spiritual cover for the gang.
The Police spokesperson said Cletus Nwachukwu Egole aka Alewa’s house was used by the gang members to plan their nefarious operations.
He also donated his late brother’s farmland for use as a hideout and training camp for the gang.
Mba noted that a total of nine AK47 rifles, five other sophisticated firearms, 17 AK47 Magazines, 549 AK47 live ammunition, 10 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), camouflage bullet proof vests, walkie talkies and other incriminating items were recovered from the suspects.
Mba said all the suspects would be arraigned on conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has reiterated that the Force will not tolerate any further attack on its personnel or any citizen by any individual or group under any guise whatsoever.
He assured citizens that Law Enforcement Agents had gathered sufficient intelligence on the attackers and are closing up on scores of suspects already implicated in the attacks either directly or indirectly for financing, aiding and abetting the criminals.
The IGP stressed that no murderer would go unpunished and enjoined parents/guardians as well as traditional/opinion leaders to weigh in and prevail on their children/wards to desist from toeing the destructive paths of crime.
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