The Anambra State Police Command says its operatives have arrested the leader of a robbery gang while his members escaped.
They were known to rob along Ufuma – Oko – Uga- Amaokpala road in Orumba North and Aguata Local Government Areas of the state.
Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson, Anambra State Police Command, disclosed this in a statement.
Ikenga revealed that the group leader confessed that it was his gang which recently robbed a hotel in Ndikelionwu, where a female staff was raped.
“Police Operatives attached to Oko divisional headquarters acting on credible information in the early hours of 6/9/2022 burst a criminal hideout, an uncompleted building along Oko – Ufuma expressway in Orumba North LGA,” the statement reads.
“Operatives arrested one Okechukwu Okpo ‘M’ age 24 years of Ndobasi village, Ebonyi State. One locally fabricated pistol, two live cartridges and three plasma television were recovered.
“The criminal gang on sighting the police vehicle opened fire on the operatives, who responded swiftly, engaging the armed robbers in a gun battle. While other gang members fled the scene, Okechukwu was arrested.
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“Preliminary investigations show that the gang were responsible for over 25 armed robberies, kidnapping, car-snatching incidents that have happened along Oko Ufuma, Uga, Amaokpala expressway, among others.
“The most recent according to the confessional statement of the suspect (Okechukwu) is an attack in a hotel on 13/8/2022 at Ndikelionwu, where a female staff was raped and the gang also made away with three television and other items. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members.”
Ikenga also stated that four other suspected criminals have been arrested in a separate incident.
He said the suspects were arrested alongside with local security, and they include; one Chukwubike Anieto ‘m’ Aged 20 years from Agulu, Chukwuemerie Ike ‘m’ aged 36 years from Agulu, Chidera Muo ‘m’ aged 25 years from Neni and Chukwuma Israel ‘m’ aged 28 years all residing at Umuezeani village Akwaeze.
“We recovered one Berreta pistol, three motorcycles, one axe, three machetes, one police belt, one Sumec generator, thirteen different brands of phones and other incriminating items.
“Interrogation by police operatives revealed that the gang attacked a police Constable, and dispossessed him of his personal belonging on 29/8/2022 along Umukabia Okofia village, Neni. Also most recently, the gang were caught in the act on 9/9/2022 in an attempt to rob a lady of her belonging along Okofia village, Neni.”