The Enugu State Police Command has said the search for missing Flourish Uzodimma was not abandoned.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, also dismissed a report that the command collected ₦25,000 for tracking Flourish, a student of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

In a statement on Saturday, Ndukwe stated that the claim by Flourish’s father, Charles Uzodimma and his counsel, Barr. Ege Obetta, was false.

“The Enugu State Police did not abandon the search for the alleged missing Flourish Nkwachi Uzodimma, nor was her father, one Charles Uzodimma, asked to rescue his daughter after allegedly paying a ₦25,000 tracking fee. The claims made by one Barrister Ege Obetta on X and sensationalized in a report by Sahara Reporters in their usual acts of junk journalism are misleading and baseless.

“Flourish, an 18-year-old first-year Computer Robotics student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), left her parents’ residence in Owerre-Eze Orba, Udenu LGA, on November 28, 2024, to an unknown destination. On December 3, 2024, her father, accompanied by the Chief Security Officer of UNN, reported her disappearance to the Nsukka Urban Police Station. Despite his insistence that the case be treated as mere information, the police initiated an investigation,” he said.

The Command’s Spokesman explained that Mr. Uzodimma engaged a private tracker. He added that Flourish’s father stopped interacting with police after he reportedly found out that her daughter was in Calabar, Cross River State.

“Mr. Uzodimma independently engaged a private tracker, allegedly paying ₦25,000, but efforts to track her phone were unsuccessful as it was switched off. Later, Mr. Uzodimma informed the police that Flourish was seen in a Facebook photo with another girl he had warned her against associating with. The girl’s phone number was tracked to Calabar, Cross River State.

“Contrary to claims of police inaction, Mr. Uzodimma stopped collaborating with the police, hampering the investigation. The case remains under investigation, but progress has been hindered by the non-cooperation of Flourish’s parents. Sensationalizing the matter serves no purpose and detracts from the ongoing efforts to resolve it,” Ndukwe added.

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The Enugu State Police Command has apprehended a gang of suspected criminals involved in armed robbery and fraud across state lines.

The operation, which resulted in the arrest of a dismissed soldier and seven other suspects, is seen as a significant breakthrough in the fight against organised crime in the region.

The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Enugu State, DSP Daniel Ndukwe.

He explained that the operation was a collaborative effort between the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the local Neighbourhood Watch Group.

The statement partly read, “The Enugu State Police Command has successfully dismantled an interstate criminal syndicate that specialised in armed robbery and financial fraud.

“This was achieved through coordinated operations involving the Emene Division, Crack, and Octopus Tactical Squads, alongside the Neighbourhood Watch Group, which led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, cash, and other stolen items.”

Arrested Suspects and Recovered Items

The suspects include 23-year-old Ismaila Isah, 28-year-old Sadik Ahmed (a dismissed soldier), 33-year-old Abbas Usman, 24-year-old Mubarak Garba, 23-year-old Abubakar Haruna, 32-year-old Abubakar Sani, 22-year-old Obiri Chukwuebuka, and 22-year-old Bright Omeniru.

Items recovered from the suspects included two locally made pistols (one with a live cartridge and another with an expended cartridge), ₦300,450 in cash, 10 laptops, 10 mobile phones, jewellery, watches, headphones, four power banks, two SIM cards, and several personal effects, such as footwear, bags, and land documents.

How the Operation Unfolded

According to the police statement, the operation began on November 12, 2024, at around 3:30 a.m., when officers from the Emene Division, supported by members of the local Neighbourhood Watch, responded to a distress call about an ongoing robbery at an estate in Emene.

During the raid, one of the suspects, Ismaila Isah, was apprehended with a locally made pistol, ₦300,450 in cash, and several stolen items. Other members of the gang managed to flee.

Following his arrest, Ismaila was transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad, where further investigations and his confessional statements led to a string of additional arrests.

Acting on this intelligence, police operatives tracked down five more suspects — Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani — at their hideouts in the New Garriki area of Awkunanaw, Enugu. During the raid, another locally made pistol, along with more stolen items, was recovered.

The statement added, “The operation commenced on November 12, 2024, around 3:30 a.m., when operatives from the Emene Division, supported by Neighbourhood Watch members, responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery at an estate in Emene. During the operation, Ismaila Isah was apprehended with one locally made pistol, the said ₦300,450.00, and some stolen items, while others escaped.

“Ismaila was later transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad for further investigation. His confessional statements and subsequent discreet investigations led to the arrest of Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu. Another locally made pistol and additional stolen items were recovered.

“Furthermore, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Squad utilised an intelligence report and arrested Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru in Owerri, Imo State. During interrogation, they admitted to using phones stolen by the syndicate to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ bank accounts. Two SIM cards from different networks were also recovered.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and exploited victims’ SIM cards to commit fraud.

“The suspects also confessed to transporting and selling stolen goods in Imo and other states. Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, admitted to using his security background to bypass police checkpoints while trafficking stolen items across the state.”

The Enugu State Police Command has assured the public that the suspects will be charged to court once the investigation is concluded.

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An Enugu State Police Inspector, attached to the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, has been detained following the alleged murder of renowned traditional Ogene musician Okezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah.

According to a statement from DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Command’s spokesperson, the incident took place at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Tactical Squad’s Headquarters.

Mba was reportedly leaving the premises after a friendly visit when, under unclear circumstances, the officer discharged his weapon, fatally wounding the musician.

Mba was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival, and his body has since been moved to the mortuary for autopsy.

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kanayo Uzuegbu, has directed a thorough investigation, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police overseeing the State CID, to determine the motives and circumstances of the shooting.

The Commissioner expressed condolences to Mba’s family, friends, and fans, calling the incident unacceptable and promising that disciplinary measures will be applied if culpability is confirmed.

Ndukwe said, “A male Police Inspector serving in the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad of the Enugu State Police Command has been arrested and detained for the alleged murder of a male traditional Ogene musician, Okezie Chikezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah. The incident occurred around 8:10 p.m. on October 25, 2024, at the Tactical Squad’s Headquarters.

“The musician was reportedly leaving the Squad’s Headquarters after a friendly visit when, for reasons yet to be ascertained, the police officer fired his rifle, hitting the victim. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor. His body has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to conduct a full-scale investigation that will facilitate prompt and appropriate disciplinary actions against the police officer.

“The Commissioner empathises and consoles the victim’s family, friends, and associates, describing the unfortunate incident as unacceptable. He assures that the police officer and anyone else found culpable will be sanctioned in line with the law to serve as a deterrent.”

He further urged all those affected to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities to ensure justice prevails.

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