The Anambra State Police Command has arrested four men suspected of plotting to kill a businessman and illegally take possession of his landed properties in Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as 38-year-old Obiora Nwankwo, 36-year-old Chiadikobi Okoye, 42-year-old Emmanuel Mboko and 37-year-old Ifeanyi Obi, were apprehended at separate locations in Ukwulu and Amichi on Wednesday.
The arrests followed intelligence gathered under the command’s renewed strategy against organised crime, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga.
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.
The operation also resulted in the recovery of two firearms and live ammunition.
In a statement on Thursday, Ikenga said the command uncovered the alleged plan to murder the businessman and subsequently take over his properties following intelligence efforts initiated by the Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama.
He said the security operatives acted swiftly on the information and disrupted the alleged criminal plan before it could be carried out.
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“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects were allegedly linked to a plot to murder a citizen and subsequently take over his landed properties,” Ikenga stated.
The police spokesman said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged conspiracy, establish the individual roles of the suspects and identify other persons who may have been involved.
The four suspects remain in police custody and are expected to face prosecution after the conclusion of investigations, the command said.
The Commissioner of Police stressed that the arrest demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led policing in detecting threats early, disrupting planned attacks and preventing the loss of lives and property.
The command also assured residents that it would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and security operations across Anambra State to prevent criminal activities.
