No fewer than 32 suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested by operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in simultaneous sting operations in Awka, Anambra State and Enugu township, Enugu State.
The EFCC identified the suspects as “Stanley Okechukwu, Chukwudi Michael, Nnaife Onyedika, Nnamdi Christian, Pascal Akachukwu, Ekeme Christian Luke, Denis Chidozie and Ebuka Mmaduka.
“Others are: Ekene Excellent, Emmanuel Okochi Osita, Akunne Prince Ikenna, Igwe Nnaemeka Shedrack, Nonso Henry Ozo Ekwe, Ebuka Obike Boniface, Goodluck Ameachi Ifeanyi, Hillary Chiemele Chukwudizie, Chinedu Onwuegbusi Ignitus, Onuoha Ifeanyi Anthony.
“Bassey Nnolue Jason, Chinedu Nnolue Kingsley, Okpe Matthew, Emmanuel Abonyi, Igwenagu Kenechukwu Collins, Joachim Okpe, Kelechi Ibenyenwa, David Chiemerie, Kingsley Ngwu, Ndubuisi Anthony, Collins Chidubem, Innocent Chisom, Kalu Nnachi and Chukwuemeka Henry.”
They were arrested based on some credible intelligence on their suspected internet-related criminal activities.
Items recovered from them are phones, laptops and two cars: Lexus ES 350 and Lexus RX 330.
The anti-graft agency added that they will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
In another development, suspected armed robbers on Friday engaged men of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, in a gun duel while robbing a hotel in the Sagamu area of Ogun State.
One Police Inspector and two security guards were shot by the armed robbers, according to a statement by the Ogun State Police Command.
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It was gathered that the injured policeman and the guards were rushed to the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu, where they are reportedly responding to treatment.
The police spokesperson in Ogun State, Omolola Odutola, said in the statement that the Sagamu Area Command had received a distress call at about 1:00 am “that armed hoodlums were operating at Remo Majestic Hotel in Sagamu”.
Based on the report, Odutola said a combined team of policemen were mobilised to the scene.
“Immediately the hoodlums sighted the policemen, they opened sporadic firing while the policemen engaged the hoodlums,” she explained.
According to her, “two of the hoodlums were fatally wounded while others escaped into a nearby bush with bullet wounds”.
Odutola disclosed further that “two locally made single-barrelled guns, four unexpended cartridges, 13 expended cartridges, one big scissors, 10 Android phones, one Java phone, a white Toyota Venza Car with registration number BWR 123DD Abuja were among items recovered at the scene of crime”.
She added that the suspected armed robbers had earlier mingled with lodgers before launching the attacks.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu Abiodun, ordered an immediate manhunt for the two fleeing suspects, the statement added.