The Anambra State Police Command has arrested four men over an alleged plan to assassinate a businessman in Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, and take possession of his landed properties.
The suspects were identified as 38-year-old Obiora Nwankwo, 36-year-old Chiadikobi Okoye, 42-year-old Emmanuel Mboko and 37-year-old Ifeanyi Obi.
The arrests were made at separate locations in Ukwulu and Amichi on Wednesday following intelligence gathered by security operatives.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, working with Agunechemba security personnel from Amichi and Nnewi, moved against the suspects after receiving credible information about the alleged plot.
He said two firearms and live ammunition were recovered during the operation.
Ikenga quoted the police as saying, “The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered an alleged plot to murder a businessman and unlawfully take over his landed properties in Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area.”
He added that the arrests followed the intelligence-led policing strategy introduced by the Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama.
According to him, preliminary findings indicated that the suspects were allegedly connected to the plan to kill the businessman and subsequently take over his property.
“The operation led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Obiora Nwankwo, Chiadikobi Okoye, Emmanuel Mboko and Ifeanyi Obi,” Ikenga said.
He explained that the investigation was ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged conspiracy, establish the individual roles of the suspects and identify any other persons who might have been involved.
The police spokesperson said the suspects remained in custody and would be prosecuted after investigations were concluded.
The Commissioner of Police, according to Ikenga, stressed that the arrests demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led policing in detecting criminal activities early and preventing attacks and loss of lives and property.
