In a significant crackdown, the Ebonyi State Police Command announced the arrest of four suspects connected to an organ harvesting ring responsible for the death of at least three individuals. Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu revealed in Abakaliki on Friday that the suspects confessed to murdering Chikezie Idenyi, a Dubai-based businessman, along with two other victims, as part of an attempt to use human organs in a misguided effort to cure a person with Down syndrome.
Mrs. Blessing Chikezie Onyekachi reported her husband, Chikezie Idenyi, missing on September 14, 2024, after he failed to return from a business trip to Lagos. Investigations led to the arrest of four suspects: Innocent Elebe, Eze Elechi, Obinna Nwanguru, and Oda Peter. Police recovered the bodies of Idenyi and another victim, Chibu Odii, while efforts continue to locate the third victim.
Other Police Operations
Ukandu also highlighted other crime-fighting achievements in October, including the arrest of 177 suspects for various offenses, 92 of whom have been charged in court. Under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Anthonia A. Uche-Anya, the command has increased community engagement, reducing violent crime rates in Ebonyi.
In separate cases, the police detained Chukwuebuka Okemiri for allegedly leading an attack that resulted in the murder of traditional ruler Ezeogo Ibo Ubani in Ivo LGA on May 3, 2024. Efforts are ongoing to capture other suspects involved in the murder.
Additionally, the police freed a kidnap victim, Miss Nwigbo, who had been abducted, assaulted, and held for four days while her captors collected a ₦400,000 ransom. The suspects, Ominiyi Friday and Ubochi Ifeanyi, were arrested on October 22, with further arrests anticipated.
The police also dismantled armed robbery and kidnapping rings, recovering weapons, including a Barretta pistol and a locally-made single-barrel gun. Key arrests included “Azaman,” a member of a robbery syndicate, and Friday James Nworie, who had been terrorizing the Ezza North community.