Enugu Couple Arrested on Wedding Day

Posted by admin Enugu, Headlines, State News Monday, July 18th, 2011

Anxiety and apprehension have heightened in Enugu State following the arrest of Mr. Ifeanyi Ogbonna from Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State and his fiancée, Ifeoma Ukamaka, from Ebonyi State on their wedding day.

Ogbonna and Ukamaka were arrested last week when they were about to tie the nuptial knots at Divine Help Ministry located at Town School, behind Emenite Industries Ltd, Emene, Enugu State. They were suddenly arrested by detectives from the state police command.

It was gathered that Mr Ogbonna, popularly known as “Monkey”, who is now enjoying his honeymoon with his darling, Ukamaka inside the Enugu police cell, refused to disclose to the pastor and members of his church the reason why he was arrested.

A source told LEADERSHIP that Ogbonna had been on the wanted list of the police over his alleged role in criminal activities in the state.

It was learnt that the police arrested Ogonna’s fiancée because she had been living with him for about one year.

Until his arrest and aborted wedding, Ogbonna was a motor parts dealer at Ikom in Cross Rivers State.

Confirming the arrest to LEADERSHIP, the public relations officer of the Enugu State police command, CSP Ebere Amaraizu, said Ogbonna was arrested because of his role in some criminal activities that took place in the state in the past.

Amaraizu told our correspondent that the arrest of the couple followed a tip-off from an undisclosed person.
He disclosed that the detectives had been monitoring Ogbonn, whom he said allegedly confessed to the police after his arrest that he participated in bank robberies in Enugu State in the past.

The police image maker stated that Ogbonna told the police that, between 1998 and 1999, he and members of his gang robbed Microfinance banks in Enugu State.

Ogbonna was also said to have revealed that he masterminded and sponsored the kidnap of one Roseline Nnaji of Amagunze with the sum of N20,000.
The suspect, Amaraizu disclosed further, allegedly told detectives that he sourced the information that led to the abduction of Mrs. Nnaji.

According the police image maker, Ogbonna revealed that he decided not participate in the abduction because he knew the victim very well.

He disclosed further that Ogbonna and his gang members received N7 million from Mrs. Nnaji’s relatives before they released her, adding that Ogbonna received N500, 000 as his own share because of the crucial role he played.

Amaraizu stated that the suspect was already furnishing the police with information that could lead to the arrest of members of his gang.

He called on the good people of the state to always assist the police with useful information.

Meanwhile, four kids were at the weekend consumed in a mysterious night fire outbreak in Okpanam, Oshimili North local government area of Delta State.

The incident occurred on Saturday night and shook the entire Okpanam, a sleepy community located near Asaba, to its foundation.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the kids, three girls and a boy, identified as Nkemakonam (8), Miracle (5), Odera (3), and Daniel (3 months) were allegedly consumed in the inferno which occurred around 9.15pm while their parents were away for their private businesses.

Parents of the kids, Mr. and Mrs. John Onyakwere Udemba who hail from Oko–Anala in Oshimili South local government area of the state told our correspondent in Asaba that they (father and mother) had gone to their stores when the incident occurred.
The children were under the care of their elder brother and the family’s first born, Master Onyeka Udemba (10) who reportedly sustained injures during the fire outbreak. Master Onyeka is currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, for severe burns.

Mr. Udemba explained: “Although I was in my shop when the fire started in our house, it is common knowledge that members of the family of our landlord, Pa Egbuna Ofili, stock and sell petrol in the compound and the product is usually stored everywhere in the house on a daily basis.”

He added in an emotion-laden voice: “Why was it easier for them to evacuate their properties in full and rescue their father, who is above 85 years and bed-ridden for several years, but found it difficult to rescue my children from the building?”

Eyewitnesses said that the fire started from the apartment occupied by the Udembas. The surviving son, Onyeka, ran out and raised the alarm , but all attempts to rescue the children failed because the two doors which served as exit were locked by their parents who often returned home late at night.

LEADERSHIP checks revealed that the building was gutted by fire as a result of its dilapidated state. The building was reportedly constructed in 1962 with plywood

Expectedly Onyeka, son of the Udembas had allegedly made frantic efforts to rescue his siblings but was driven back by the wild fire which sources said spread like harmatan fire.

The landlord’s wife Mrs. Susanah Ofili dismissed as untrue suspicious act of a mysterious fire out break adding that people (co-occupants) of the house who witnessed it confirmed how their son (Oyeka) ran out calling for help when the fire started in their rooms.

While accusing fingers are directly pointing to the parents of the four dead kids, sources close to them revealed that they have threatened to commit suicide following the fire disaster which depleted their family.

-Leadershipwp_posts