The Lagos State Police Command has
arrested a trader in Alaba International Market, Anthony Nwogu, for attempting
to kill his colleague, Afam Anazodo, in Isheri area of the state.
According to police authorities, Nwogu
and another person at large on March 21, 2013, set out to kill Anazodo at his
home when policemen stopped them for another offence.
It was learnt that after
interrogation, Nwogu also confessed that he was going to murder Anazodo, he
described as a wicked businessman.
A police source said, “In the
afternoon of March 21, Nwogu and another person he identified as Oyinbo, were
attempting to snatch a car at gunpoint around Satellite Town when policemen
sighted them. On seeing the policemen, they threw a gun they were using into
the nearby bush and fled.
“Nwogu was later arrested while the
other guy escaped. Upon interrogation, he confessed that they were on their way
to murder Anazodo, adding that they needed the vehicle for transport.
“He also confessed that the gun was
licensed but did not belong to him.”
Nwogu said Anazodo deserved to be
killed because of the wicked manner which he operated his business.
He said, “I own four shops in Alaba
Market where I sell label compact discs. However, Afam (Anazodo) outsells us
through his wicked schemes. We had reported him to policemen, but he always
managed to go scot-free while our business suffered.
“One day, I approached another
colleague of mine, Nnaemeka Njoku, who owns a licensed gun. I told him that he
should lend me the gun and that I wanted to use it for an operation. He agreed
but said I would have to give him my car as collateral and he would return it
to me after I had returned the gun.
“I had planned with Oyinbo that we
would storm Afam’s house and kill him. I don’t know how to use a gun so Oyinbo
agreed that he would pull the trigger. On our way to Afam’s house, we decided
that it would be better if we used a stolen car to carry out our operation to
avoid being traced. It was while we were trying to snatch a car that policemen
arrested me.”
It was learnt that the owner of the gun, Njoku, had also been arrested
by policemen at Area E Command.
It was learnt that upon searching his
home, policemen also recovered a bulletproof vest.
Njoku, who claimed to own seven shops
in the same market, said he had no hand in the crime as he only lent Nwogu his
gun.
“My pump-action gun is licensed. I
have seven shops and I import kitchen utensils. I did not join them in the
operation and I should be released,” he said.
The spokesperson for the state police
command, Ngozi Braide, said the suspects would soon be charged to court.
“A double-barrelled gun was recovered
from them and they will be charged with attempted murder,” she said.
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