December 28, (THEWILL) – The Imo state Police Command, on Wednesday, said it has arrested Chinwendu Nwagwu, the suspected leader of the gang that killed a former Presidential Aide, Ahmed Gulak.
Spokesperson of the Command, CSP Michael Abattam, who made this known while parading the suspect at the Command’s Headquarters, in Owerri, said Nwagwu, popularly known as ‘Onye Army’, confessed to joining the Nigerian Army in 2013 but left in 2021 and later joined the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He said Nwagwu confessed that he led the gang that attacked offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ihitte-Uboma and Isiala Mbano Council Areas as well as the State Headquarters in Owerri.
Abattam, who said Nwagwu was arrested at his country home in Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Council Area of the state on Dec. 25, disclosed that the suspect confessed to the use of black magic to prevent bullets from penetrating his body.
He said several items including five pump action guns, four locally-made pistols, two cut-to-size double-barrelled guns, 50 rounds of live cartridges, locally-made hand grenades and ESN regalia, were recovered from his home upon his arrest.
“He rose to become commander in the ESN and personally confessed to have trained over 100 persons in the IPOB.
“He also confessed to having been part of those who burnt police stations and INEC offices and killed several innocent people.
“He confessed to a recent kidnapping of expatriate engineers along the Umuna/Okigwe road, murder of a native doctor in Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Council Area of Imo and killing of a Police Inspector and a Police Sergeant in Aboh, Mbaise Police Station.
“He confessed to leading the burning of several police stations, the killing of a truck driver along Mbaise road, attack of Owerri Correctional Centre and Police Headquarters in Imo,” he said.
Abattam added that Nwagwu, who confirmed his involvement in the killing of Gulak, said his paymasters, including some traditional rulers, had deserted him and declared him wanted.
According to Abattam, the suspect had been praying to come in contact with security operatives, whom he believed would spare his life and give him a chance to legally defend himself.
