The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested 177 suspected criminals for various offenses committed throughout October 2024.
Among the suspects, four individuals are alleged to have been involved in human organ harvesting and ritual killings, according to the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu.
Ukandu revealed these details during a news conference on Friday in Abakaliki, where he provided updates on the command’s achievements for the month.
He said the suspects include 162 males and 15 females, with 92 of them already charged to court. “The remaining suspects will be arraigned once investigations are concluded,” he added.
Providing an overview on behalf of the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Anthonia Uche-Anya, Ukandu highlighted ongoing efforts to curb crime and promote safety in the state.
“The command has employed strategic steps, including increased stakeholder engagement, to reduce crime to the barest minimum,” he noted.
“Through this approach, we have been able to lower the incidence of violent crime, while operatives of the command continue in their efforts to make the state safe for all.”
In a shocking case reported by the command, Mrs. Blessing Chikezie, on October 11, alerted authorities that her husband, Mr. Idenyi Chikezie, had gone missing.
He had last been seen on September 9 when he left for a business trip to Lagos.
Through the efforts of the Anti-kidnapping Unit, two suspects, Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi, were apprehended. “Their statements led to the arrest of two more individuals, Obinna Nwanguru and Oda Peter,” Ukandu said.
The arrested suspects allegedly confessed to killing Idenyi Chikezie, Chibu Odii, and Eze Fabian. They reportedly attempted to harvest the victims’ organs and extract blood to treat a person with Down syndrome.
“Operatives of the command have recovered the corpses of Idenyi Chikezie and Chibu Odii,” Ukandu stated. “Efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the third victim, Eze Fabian.”
Beyond the organ harvesting case, the command arrested additional suspects for crimes such as kidnapping, murder, robbery, and the illegal possession of firearms.
The PPRO emphasized that the police remain committed to safeguarding Ebonyi State through persistent crime-fighting initiatives.
