News
8-Yr-Old Girl’s Murder: Police Nab Another Suspect
The police said they have arrested the second suspect allegedly linked to the killing of an eight-year-old girl, Chikamso Victory in Eliozu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.
The state Commissioner of Police, Zaki Mohammed Ahmed confirmed this in a telephone interview on Channels Television breakfast show, ‘Sunrise Daily”, monitored in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
It would be recalled that the principal suspect, one Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell Dike, had escaped from police custody in the evening hours of penultimate Sunday, barely 24hours, after he was arrested for allegedly raping and killing the minor.
“Well, the latest is I’m delighted to inform you that the second suspect, who the principal suspect alleged asked him to get those human parts has been arrested this morning (Thursday),” Ahmed said.
The police commissioner said that the principal suspect, who is currently at large, had mentioned the second suspect as his accomplice when he confessed to committing the crime.
He said, “There are two of them. The principal suspect when he was arrested, he confessed to committing the crime, and he mentioned that someone asked him to get some parts of a human being for them to make money. So, that person has been arrested this morning.”
Ahmed said the second suspect was involved in the crime, saying Ifeanyi provided the information which led to his arrest while he was being interrogated.
“I strongly suspect that this person we have arrested is involved in the crime. The boy (Maxwell Ifeanyi) gave his name and his number and he mentioned that this is the person who asked him to get these human parts that they are going to make money,” he said.
The police commissioner also expressed optimism that the principal suspect would soon be re-arrested, and urged the public to provide the command with useful information.
Ifeanyi, an undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), had reportedly cut off the vital parts of the eight-year-old girl before he was apprehended by security operatives penultimate Saturday.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, had said that the principal suspect was on his way to dispose of the remains of the girl when he was arrested.
Omoni, who paraded the principal suspect penultimate Saturday, before he escaped, warned parents to monitor the movements of their children and be wary of those they allow to have access to them.
The father of the girl, who was part of the search and rescue team since his daughter disappeared, had identified the principal suspect as his cousin.
The murder of the girl and Ifeanyi’s escape from police custody had prompted various reactions in the state and across the country as various groups are seeking for justice to be meted out on the perpetrators.
While the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo described his escape as embarrassing, some youth in Eliozu area of Port Harcourt asked the police to produce him.
The Tide reports that the police high command has already placed N1million reward for any person with useful information that may lead to the re-arrest of the principal suspect.
Similarly, the defeated governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Dr Dakuku Peterside pledged N500,000 reward for any one with useful information that would aid the police in re-arresting the principal suspect, and ensuring that he and his accomplices are brought to justice.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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