Murder Of Ogbete Market Chairman: Police Deploy Tactical Team

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Enugu State Police Command has assured that its operatives are closely on the heels of the suspected assassins of the Chairman of Ogbete Main Market, Stephen Aniagu, in the coal city.

Aniagu who presided over the largest market in the State was  shot dead Saturday night, September 14, 2024, by unknown assailants.

The tragic incident occurred at the Moses Ogbodo junction, close to Topland Market, all in the Amaechi area of Enugu South Local Council of the State.

The Ogbete Main Market Association OMMATA boss was on his way home after the days activities at about 7 pm, when he was blocked and shot severally by the gunmen.

The assailants were made away with his vehicle, and left his bullet- ridden body on the ground.

Eye witness accounts said the deceased may have been trailed from the office by the killers who, after accomplishing their mission, simply walked away without hurting any other persons .

“We heard gunshots and ran for safety. When we emerged from hiding a few minutes later, we found his lifeless body on the ground and his vehicle missing.

His body was riddled with bullets as he was shot multiple times by the assailants” a witness volunteered.

In a statement issued on Sunday September 15, Enugu Police Command’s Spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe ,informed that the suspected assassins also made away with the deceased’s vehicle.

According to him, the Enugu State Police Commissioner, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has deployed a crack team of operatives to go after the killers.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the unknown armed hoodlums operating in a Toyota Corolla car double-crossed and shot the victim, making away with his blue-coloured Toyota Corolla car.

“He was taken to hospital by police operatives who hastened to the scene, but was confirmed dead by doctors.

“His corpse has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and further investigative actions.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered tactical squad of the Command that are on the trail of the assailants to deploy all the intelligence and operational resources at their disposal to hunt down the criminals.

“He also ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of CID to conduct a discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances of the incident” part of the police statement reads.

Meanwhile the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mba, has urged Security Agencies in the State to go the extra mile to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The Governor, in a statement on Sunday said that those who killed the Chairman of the Ogbete Market have murdered sleep, and therefore will never sleep.

While mourning the sad incident, Governor Mba described the killing of Aniagu as not only a loss to the OMMATA as a body, but a huge set back for the entire State.

“In the meantime, I have directed Security Agencies in the State to produce his killers within 48 hours.

“As we have always maintained ,every merchant of death or criminal in the state ought to know by now that we have demonstrated the capacity to bring them to book .

“We have the will, technology and resources to pursue, track down, overtake and defeat such workers of wickedness.

“Therefore, those who committed this atrocity have bitten more than they can chew. They have murdered sleep,

hence neither they, nor the Government and security agencies, will sleep until all the perpetrators are captured and justice served in accordance with the law ,sooner than later.

“I urge Ndi Enugu to go about their lawful businesses ,for the security of lives and property remains our priority as a Government.

“Those who have decided to test our resolve will meet their waterloo like others before them”, Governor Mba vowed.