Anambra Police command have revealed that a woman has come forward to allege that the gunman arrested at a popular hotel in Awka raped her at gunpoint on 11th of July, 2023.
The gunman who was identified as Akuchieani Echezona was arrested on the 20th of July by Surveillance Operatives of Anambra State Police Command.
After his arrest and subsequent publication of his picture a 24-year-old graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University alleged that the suspect robbed and raped her at gunpoint at another hotel in Awka on 11th July, 2023.
“She stated that the suspect was among the criminals that abducted her when she boarded a tricycle along Ifite to Aroma Junction on 10/7/2023, took her to a hotel within the area, dispossess her of her personal belongings and raped her before she was allowed to go,” a statement by Anambra Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu said.
Ikenga further stated that “the victim who looked traumatised identified her phone among the phones recovered from the suspect.
“When interrogated on the new allegation, suspect admitted to robbing the suspect at gun point but denied the rape charge. He also provided names of his two accomplices.”
Speaking on how two more Pistols were recovered, the police spokesperson explained that upon seeing the photos of the suspect, the “management of yet another hotel where he lodged alerted the Police that the suspect lodged in one of the hotel rooms before his arrest at another hotel.
“Detectives then proceeded to the hotel and searched the room where he lodged only to discover two more Berreta Pistols among his personal effects.
“Information has been received that the suspect is responsible for the murder of at least two persons in separate incidents in Awka in the last three months.
“The suspect is to be arraigned in court after investigation is concluded.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has ordered detectives to leave no stone unturned in their investigation inorder to protect society and get justice for victims of the suspect’s alleged crimes. He also urge residents to report suspicious persons and unusual movement they may observe to the nearest Police Station or through the Command Emergency number 112 or call 07039194332 for prompt response.
