A 52-year-old suspect, Ndibe Jude Onyenwe, has allegedly confessed to receiving N500,000 to hire four gunmen for a deadly attack that reportedly left six persons with serious bullet injuries in Urum, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The disclosure by the suspect followed his arrest handover to the Anambra State Police Command by operatives of the 302 Artillery Regiment, Nigerian Army Cantonment, Onitsha.

Confirming this in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect was handed over to the Command on February 5, in connection with an ongoing investigation bordering on conspiracy, attempted kidnapping, grievous bullet injuries, and murder.

The Police Spokesman, in the statement, said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly conspired with one Felix Godwin and other individuals currently at large to sponsor armed men for the ambush, which targeted unsuspecting members of the public.

According to the PPRO, during interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed that Felix Godwin allegedly transferred the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦500,000) through an Access Bank account to facilitate the hiring of four gunmen from Ayamelum Local Government Area for the said attack, further adding that one Emeka, whose surname is yet to be identified, from Urum Community, reportedly led the attack.

Furthermore, SP Ikenga said the suspect allegedly revealed that, aside the ₦500,000, Felix Godwin also mobilized him with an additional Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦350,000) for the purchase of four packets of cartridges used in carrying out the operation.

“During the deadly ambush, six persons sustained serious bullet injuries,” the PPRO stated, adding that the suspect is currently undergoing further interrogation as investigations continue, while efforts are in top gear to apprehend other suspects who are still on the run.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures the public that further developments will be communicated in due course. The Command equally reiterates its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring that justice is served.”