A 20-year-old self-confessed member of Aye
confraternity, Obinna Chigozie Onuoha alias Nwa Pastor,
who was arrested by police in Imo State, has revealed
that his members were responsible for the murder of a
graduate of the Imo State University last August,
Vanguard reports.
It was gathered that the deceased identified as Chikabala,
had gone to complete his clearance at the university,
preparatory for the mandatory one-year National Youth
Service Corps, NYSC, programme when he was attacked
by suspected cultists in front of the school gate. His
assailants reportedly shot him thrice and left him dead in
a pool of blood.
Spokesman for the Imo State Police Command, Deputy
Superintendent Andrew Ekwerem confirmed the incident
and said the suspect was arrested at a beach in
Mechanic Village, Nekede, in Owerri West Local
Government Area.
He added that Onuoha had been on the command’s
wanted list for robbery, murder and cultism.
In his confessional statement, Onuoha said:
“I am a member of Aye cult group. We attack rival
cultists anywhere, any day and any time.
Since I joined
the cult group, I have killed three persons.
But I don’t
attack rival cultists alone. Our members walk in group.
“Among those we have killed was Chibuike. I was the one
that shot him at Douglas Road, Owerri.
"He was a member of a rival cult group.
Another victim
was Zaiki, who sold CD plates. I fired the shot that killed
him at Ikenegbu Road. There was also a motorcyclist we
killed at Mbaise Road.
“My members were responsible for the murder of
Chikalaba in front of IMSU gate. We were five that carried
out that attack. Their names are Shiba, Nonso, Freedom
and Brano. “Other members of our group are Black Fela,
Owite, Pharoah and Ludacris. We kill rival group at sight
because if we don’t, they will kill us.”
The Command spokesman disclosed that over 25 other
suspects, who were involved in separate criminal acts,
were arrested alongside Onuoha.
Ekwerem explained that
the arrest was “in line with Imo State Police Command’s
Operation Nkpochapu Phase II (wipe out criminals).
Some of the arrested suspects have been charged to
court, while others are still undergoing thorough
investigation.”
