A suspected armed robber believed to be responsible for a series of crimes in the Nsukka area of Enugu State, including motorcycle snatching, sexual assault, and kidnapping, has been apprehended in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The suspect, who identified himself as Emeka Sunday from Enugu-Ezike, allegedly snatched a motorcycle at gunpoint from Mr Stephen Amadi in Lejja, Nsukka on April 19th.

In an interview with newsmen, Amadi claimed that on April 18th, the suspect had asked to be given a ride home and then, halfway through the journey, pulled a gun on him (Amadi) and robbed him of the motorcycle.

Amadi reported the incident to the police in Nsukka, but attempts to track down the suspect using the phone number he had exchanged proved futile, as he had blocked all calls related to the stolen motorcycle.

However, a fortuitous turn of events led to the suspect’s downfall.

Amadi’s sister, who was serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ibadan, managed to befriend the suspect on Facebook.

The suspect, likely believing he had found another potential victim, invited the woman to meet him at a hotel in Ibadan.

Upon receiving this information, the woman promptly contacted the police at the Eleyele Police Headquarters in Ibadan.

The police then set up an ambush at the hotel, and when the suspect emerged, they swiftly apprehended him.

During an interrogation, the suspect confessed to the motorcycle theft and other crimes, though the claims about his identity and hometown are yet to be verified.

He also admitted to selling the stolen motorcycle for a meager price of 100,000 naira.

Meanwhile, the challenge now lies in the jurisdictional issue, as the initial crime was committed within the Enugu State Police Command’s jurisdiction.

The Oyo State Police Command, which successfully arrested the suspect, is unable to prosecute the case, as the original crime occurred outside of their jurisdiction.

When Vanguard further placed a call to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, to get an update on the case, he said he was out of the office and that he could not provide any information to that effect.

Similarly, this correspondent attempted to call the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the arrest, but the line made available could not be reached.

The Ogbede Divisional Police in Enugu State, where the case was initially reported, have so far shown little interest in traveling to Ibadan to take custody of the suspect.

Vanguard confirmed that they are reportedly demanding additional logistical support from the complainants before they can make the trip.

Consequently, the police headquarters at Eleyele, threatened to release the suspect if the Enugu State authorities do not make arrangements to transfer him by at a stipulated time. (Vanguard)

•The suspect identified as Emeka Sunday

Son arrested for killing activist dad over monetary dispute in Edo

The Edo State Police Command has said that Arthur Angel Jr. killed his father, Arthur Judah Angel over monetary demand at Ugboha, in Esan South East on Sunday.

The Spokesman of the Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, told The PUNCH on Wednesday that a preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased son had threatened to kill his father and carried when he hit him with a sledgehammer.

The PPRO said, “On the 15thof July, 2024, at about 09.00 hours, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ugboha division in Edo State received a complaint that one Arthur Angel Jr. (17 years) brought a complaint of a shallow grave discovery at the backyard of the compound where he lived with the deceased.

“Immediately, the DPO mobilized his men and they moved out to the scene. On getting there, they saw a shallow grave and decided to exhume the body.

“When the body was exhumed, they discovered that it was the lifeless body of Arthur Angel, 70, and at a close look, they saw a sharp injury on the back of the deceased head, and the body was taken to Uromi Hospital mortuary.”

He added, “According to the DPO, preliminary investigation revealed that Arthur Angel Jr. had severally threatened to kill his father on the ground that his father was expecting some money from Amnesty International.

“The suspect had a feeling that the money had been paid to the deceased and decided to use the sledgehammer to hit him behind the head while he was asleep.

“As we speak, the suspect has been successfully transferred from Ugboha to the homicide section of the Edo State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.”

Anti-death penalty advocate, Arthur Judah Angel, on Sunday, was killed and buried in a shallow grave behind his house.

Having been sentenced to death in 1986 for a crime he said he did not commit, Angel, who was also a human rights defender, used his foundation, Life Wire International Foundation, to fight for the use of the death penalty in the country.

He travelled to over 15 countries to speak out against the death penalty through his art exhibitions and drawings.

When the PUNCH contacted Angel’s cousin, Michael Ihaza on Tuesday, he confirmed the assassination of his uncle.

He said, “I cannot really say if he had a problem with anyone. He won several cases over family land but I really don’t know if that brought issues between him and anyone.

“He never reported any threat to his life to me. However, his 15-year-old son who reported the case to the police in Ugboha has been taken into custody for questioning but I don’t think he has a hand in his father’s death.

“His son was arrested the same day he was killed. The narrative that is making the round within the police circle and in town is that the boy is also a suspect.”

“My late uncle fought for humanity in his lifetime. How worked on prison reform and he was a gentleman. I never heard that he had a problem with anyone.

“The police say they are investigating the matter so we don’t want to say anything that will jeopardize the investigation. Hopefully, the culprit will be identified and brought to justice,” he added. (The PUNCH)