Operatives of the Imo State Command Tactical Unit of the Nigeria Police have arrested an armed robber and a cultist in the state.
The suspects identified as 37-year-old Ntosi Godfrey and Nnandi Raymond were attested during police intelligence-led stop-and-search along Owerri-Aba road while en route to Owerri with a Green Toyota Golf with Reg. number: AA775BD Lagos, which they allegedly snatched from a victim in Umuahia in Abia State.
In a statement issued in Owerri on Friday by the Imo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, he said that the suspects opened fire on sighting police operatives but were given stiff resistance by the ever-gallant operatives who manoeuvred to vintage and returned fire.
He said that in the ensuing gun duel, one of the suspects sustained bullet injuries and was later taken to a nearby medical hospital for treatment while the other suspect was arrested.
Okoye said that items recovered from the suspects were one pump action gun, one locally fabricated gun, 10 rounds of live cartridges, and the Toyota Golf.
On interrogation, according to him, the suspects confessed to being members of a deadly armed robbery syndicate in Umuahia and mentioned one suspect at large.
Also, operatives of Nekede Divisional Headquarters in synergy with the local vigilantes have arrested a suspected cultist a member of a rival cult group in the area.
The command PPRO said that the suspect was arrested at the suspected cultist hid-out following a tip-off that rival cult groups are planning to destabilize the peace and security of Umuanunu Obinze in Owerri West LGA, Imo State and other areas in the State.
He said that in the course of the operation, one suspected cultist, Chibueze Kalu, of 25yrs was arrested while arms including one locally made pistol were recovered from him
ASP Okoye said that the suspects confessed to being members of the black axe confraternity.
He said that a comprehensive Investigation is ongoing while efforts are in progress to unravel the manufacturers and distributors of the locally-made guns and make them face the full wrath of the law.
The suspects, according to the PPRO, will certainly have their day in court.
However, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has affirmed that the arrest of the suspects is in furtherance of the Command’s unwavering determination to completely eradicate crime in the State, noting that the Command will continue to clamp down on notorious criminal syndicate hibernating within the State and its borders.
The CP urged ‘Ndi Imo’ to be security conscious and continue to support the Police and other security agencies by reporting any suspicious person seen or clandestine activity observed within their vicinity to the nearest Police Station or via
He said: “Let us collaboratively work towards achieving a safer and more secure Imo State for economic growth and prosperity”.
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