The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested six suspects allegedly linked to the murder of the traditional ruler of Ishinkwo Community, HRH Eze Josephat Nnanna Ikegwu.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abakaliki, noting that the arrests followed sustained intelligence-led investigations by operatives of the command.

The suspects, identified as Ucha Johnson, Ogobuchi Igwe, Nkpuma Nwankwo, Edwin Onwoshi, Itumo Joseph, and Emmanuel Nwaoba, were apprehended in connection with the killing.

According to the police, operatives also recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with eight rounds of live ammunition during the operation.

The monarch was reportedly murdered at his residence on April 2, 2026, a development that sparked tension and concern within the community.

Reacting to the arrests, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Hope Urunwa Okafor, reaffirmed the command’s determination to ensure that all those involved in the crime are brought to justice.

She assured residents of the Command’s continued commitment to tackling violent crimes and maintaining public safety across the state.

The police said the suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday arraigned a man, Salifu Olije Mustapha, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Kubwa, Abuja, for allegedly posing as an operative of the anti-graft agency and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

Mustapha was brought before Justice A.I. Akobi on a four-count charge bordering on impersonation and misrepresentation.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly presented himself as an officer of the Commission and took part in activities aimed at deceiving and extorting members of the public.

One of the charges against him reads: “That you, Salifu Olije Mustapha sometime in March 2026, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while falsely pretending to be a Nigerian Air Force officer did abet the duo of Abubakar (now at large) and Haruna Mamuda (currently undergoing investigation with another law enforcement agency by conveying them fully dressed in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s operational uniforms as operatives of Commission in a Toyota Corolla with Registration No. KTU399GT to Sheriff Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja to defraud unsuspecting members of the public and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 84(c) and punishable under Section 132 of the Penal Code Act.”

Another charge states: “That you, Salifu Olije Mustapha sometime in March 2026, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated a Public Servant by falsely presenting yourself as officer of the Nigerian Air Force and in that assumed character defrauded unsuspecting members of the public and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 132 of the Penal Code Act.”

When the charges were read to him, Mustapha pleaded guilty to all four counts.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, R.U. Adaga, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Justice Akobi subsequently adjourned the matter until June 1, 2026, for sentencing.

The EFCC said Mustapha was arrested after security information linked him to the impersonation of EFCC personnel.

Investigations showed that he was allegedly seen wearing a fake EFCC uniform alongside two other suspects while harassing motorists and obtaining money from them under false pretences.

Troops of 144 Battalion (Rear) under Operation Eastern Sanity on Tuesday, launched a “well coordinated raid ” at a Mammy market in Owaza, Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.

The raid followed alleged presence of crude oil bunkerers, illegal PMS dealers, pipeline vandals and illicit drug traffickers operating within the market and adjourning bushes.

During the raid, 21 suspected illicit drug traffickers were arrested.

The intelligence-based operation was carried out in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Navy Component and the Nigerian Air Force 511 Quick Response Group.

The development was disclosed in a statement by the acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Abia State, Mazinho Attah.

Attah said upon arrival at the target area, troops swiftly cordoned off and searched the entire market as well as surrounding hideouts suspected to be criminal enclaves. 

He noted that the intensive operation led to the arrest of 21 suspected illicit drug peddlers found in possession of large quantities of Indian hemp, rizzlers, suspected hard substances popularly known as “ice”, as well as the sum of N103,000.

“The suspects are currently in custody undergoing preliminary profiling and will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.

“Meanwhile, aggressive patrols and domination activities continue across the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action,” the statement said.