*Anambra Police Crack Case Of Missing Woman Allegedly Murdered By Two Men, Suspects Now Nabbed
By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Adequate measures have been mapped out by the Police hierarchy nationally and locally to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the by-election for Enugu North Senatorial District slated for Saturday, 20 June, 2026 (tomorrow).
The poll is to fill the slot made vacant by the death of incumbent Senator Okey Ezea in November 2025.
State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mamman Bitrus Giwa, said adequate security is in place for the poll scheduled to be conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe, the CP said to ensure peaceful, orderly, and credible electoral process, human and vehicular movements will be restricted from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day in the Senatorial District’s six Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Igbo-Etiti, Igbo Eze North, Igbo Eze South, Nsukka, Udenu, and Uzo-Uwani.
The restriction excludes electoral officials and persons on verifiable essential duties.
Besides, on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu, additional personnel have been deployed from Zone 13 Headquarters, the Anambra State Police Command, Police College Oji River, and Police Detective College Enugu to strengthen security arrangements for the by-election.
These measures are in addition to personnel and related arrangements by other security agencies operating in Enugu State.
The Commissioner urged political parties, candidates, supporters, and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully before, during, and after the by-election.
He warned that thuggery, ballot box snatching, vote-buying, violence of any form, and other electoral offences will not be tolerated, stressing that anyone found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law.
CP Giwa enjoined residents and voters in the Senatorial Zone to remain law-abiding and vigilant, and promptly report suspicious persons, activities, and electoral malpractices during the election to the nearest Police station.
Anambra Police Crack Case Of Missing Woman Allegedly Murdered By Two Men, Suspects Now Nabbed
Meanwhile, in Anambra, the State Police Command has successfully uncovered the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and murder of a 33-year old woman.
It stated that two suspects have been nabbed in connection with the crime in Oraifite.
In a statement by PPRO of Anambra State Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, the police disclosed that the suspects are males, identified as Thankgod Ikechukwu Ikwugwara, 26, and Makuochukwu Uzoigwe, 20 years old, respectively.
According to Ikenga, the case originated on 13 March, 2026, when the deceased’s mother reported her as missing, to the Oraifite Divisional Police Headquarters.
Ikenga added that the following day, 14 March, the lifeless body of an unidentified female was discovered inside a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop, Oraifite.
The deceased’s father later identified the body as that of his missing daughter.
Following the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, the state capital, for comprehensive investigation, security operatives, leveraging on intelligence and digital forensic leads, through sustained efforts eventually arrested the two suspects on 6 June, 2026.
During interrogation, the principal suspect, Ikwugwara, the statement disclosed, confessed to the murder.
According to the police, he stated that he had been in a relationship with the deceased for about three years and claimed he was unaware that she was married.
He further alleged that after a disagreement with the deceased’s husband, he developed a strange illness which affected his sight and, out of resentment, plotted the attack.
The suspect further confessed that on 13 March, 2026, he lured the deceased to his residence under the guise of seeking help due to illness.
Upon her arrival, the statement added, he and the second suspect allegedly attacked her with a machete, resulting in her death.
The suspects subsequently disposed of the body in a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop, Oraifite, in the early hours of the following day.
Both suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crime and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,Ikenga stated.
The PPRO quoted the state CP, Ikioye Orutugu, as commending the detectives for their resilience and professionalism in cracking the case.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of crime.
*PHOTO CAPTION: CPs Giwa (l) and Orutugu before a meeting to discuss mutual security matters affecting the sister states.
