•••PICKS UP NATIVE DOCTOR, FOR PARADE OF WIDOW STRIPPED NAKED
By John Ugo, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested six dreaded suspected cultists, who stormed a burial ceremony at Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Goverment Area of the State and allegedly killed over 20 mourners.
Also apprehended by the police is one native doctor and two alleged illicit drug traffickers.
Recall that few weeks ago, the cultists allegedly attacked mourners at a burial ceremony in Ndingbu village, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State and abducted one person during the pandemonium in the area.
The gang is also accused of being responsible for a similar incident that took place at Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area, where over 20 mourners were killed and many Injured in a bloody secret cult war.
Also, a native who allegedly assaulted a widow, stripped her naked and paraded her in the streets of Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, Mr Anthony Obanye, aged 44, and six of his accomplices are in police net.
Last week a viral video had shown a woman who was stripped naked and abused by some elders and youths of Aguleri community for allegedly killing her husband during a marathon sex.
The woman was forced to carry the lifeless body of her husband, after which she was taken round the community square naked.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Echeng Echeng, who paraded the suspects at the Command Headquarters, listed other suspects to include Mr Udalor Egwuatu Nnalue, 46, Mr Godwin Ezechukwu, 42, Nonso Ezechukwu, 20, Philomena Onyekwe, 27, and Chineyere Mmachi, 32.
The weird action triggered outrage and generally condemned by concerned groups and individuals.
Echeng said investigation revealed that the deceased, Mr Udorji Egwatu, had been sick for some time, when one of the suspects (his bother), Mr Udalor took him to Anthony a native doctor.
According to the CP, the native doctor, Anthony, had confessed to have taken the decease on some spiritual cleansing and administered him some herbs, before he died.
The CP urged the members of the public to stop sharing the video as part of the efforts to restore the dignity of the widow.
He said, “It was Anthony who allegedly told the family of the deceased that the cause of his death was the wife’s infidelity.
“We also want to use this opportunity to advise the members of the public to stop sharing the video. This will help to protect the dignity of the woman. I wish to assure you that no stone shall be left unturned in the going investigation. Justice shall be served.”
The Police Commissioner disclosed that the Command also arrested some suspected cult gangs who killed two Police officers at Unizik junction, Awka on December 14, 2021, and massacred about 25 persons at a funeral party in Ebenebe, Awka North Local Governnent Area on February 26, 2022.
“On Tuesday 15th March, 2022, information was received that the same cult group had launched an attack on Unizik vigilante group at Miracle Junction, Ifite, Awka. Police operatives were mobilized to lay ambush for the gang as they fled from the scene. The effort pays off as the Police succeeded in demobilizing the gang and recovering a cache of weapons which included two AK-47 rifles earlier stolen from the two Policemen murdered on December 14, 2021.” He added.
“Items recovered from the suspects include two Ak47, three pump actions guns, three locally made beretta pistols, one locally made Chief recover pistol, Nine Ak-47 magazine, two battle axes, assorted ammunition for the firearms above and the Mercedes Benz V-Booth reg. No Lagos HC 661 AAA.”
The Command stated that, “The leader of the gang, one Uchenna Nwobu, (a.k.a), Anali, was killed while the other gang member was arrested. Investigation is ongoing aimed at tracking down other members of the gang and establishing the rightful owner of the recovered car.”
He disclosed that the operatives of the Command on “Stop and Search” operation, on February 23, 2022, along Onitsha- Enugu expressway arrested one Awoke Friday and Ezuma Chukwuemeka, for illicit drug peddling.
“While trafficking a large quantity of 250mg of Tramadol and other prohibited drugs. The suspects where conveying drugs in a Toyota Hiace bus to Ebonyi State. Meanwhile the case has been transferred to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). All the suspects in police custody shall be charge to court at the end of investigation,” Echeng stated.