Etim Effiong
Operatives of the Nigeria Police, Anambra State Command, led by the Anti-Cult Commander, SP Noel Uche of Enugu-Ukwu, have arrested a physically impaired ‘419’ kingpin in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, Tochukwu Ikebuife alias Mmanye, specialised in spitting saliva in the palms of his victims, which came out through the other side.
He was said to have used this method to confuse and defraud his victims.
It was learnt that most of Ikebuife’s victims were young girls and boys who were salesgirls and apprentices serving their masters in different Onitsha markets.
The suspect said to be from Ire, Obosi, used to defraud his victims of huge sums of money ranging from N500,000; N850,000; N3 million to about N5 million.
The arrest was made known when Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), led by its National President, Dede Uzor A. Uzor, paid a courtesy visit to the Anti-Cult Commander in Enugu -Ukwu, SP Noel Uche last week.
The National President praised the new Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Monday Kunyas and the Commander for the breakthroughs in arresting this kingpin and his wife, Nkiru Ikebuife, who was said to be an accomplice in the crime.
The culprits were said to have caused heartache to different organisations and individuals in the state who they have duped at one time or the other.
About seven of the victims were present during the courtesy visit.
The NUF boss admonished the people to be warry of persons who approach them for assistance, claiming that they came from other African countries like Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast among others and need help to change their foreign currency.
“People should be careful about such individuals. This is one of their antics. I urge Police to immediately arraign the suspect and the wife to serve as a deterrent to others,” said NUF.
The group urged the Police to intensify efforts to arrest five other groups operating from the same Obosi.