Police parade 19 ‘for armed robbery, terrorism, cultism’ in Imo

The Imo police command has paraded nineteen suspects of armed robbery, advance fee fraud, unlawful possession of firearms and terrorism.

Mohammed Barde, commissioner of police in Imo, says the suspects would be prosecuted for stealing, possession of stolen properties and cultism.

Briefing journalists at the state command headquarters in Owerri on Friday, Barde said the suspects were arrested at different locations and would be arraigned upon completion of investigation.

Barde said the command received a distress call from a victim on September 17, who stated that hoodlums armed with one pump action gun and two locally made pistols robbed him of his Samsung and Infinix phones valued at N380,000, and that of his wife valued at N298,000.

The victim also said that his black Toyota Corolla car and other valuables were carted away from him at gunpoint.

The command’s tactical team, he said, swung into action and “arrested one Nnamdi Anyingor, male, aged 26 the following day behind Chicken Republic Ikenegbu in Owerri in possession of the complainant’s stolen vehicle”.

“In the course of the investigation, the suspect admitted that he is a member of a notorious armed robbery syndicate terrorizing the residents of Ama-Wire, Orji, Amakohia, Naze, and its environs and mentioned one ‘SUPER’ a native of Ohaji/Egbema as their gang leader,” the statement reads.

“On execution of the search warrant in the suspect’s house, the following incriminating items were recovered; one Dell laptop, different car sensors, a pair of black boots, two big iron cutters, a military camouflage uniform, master keys, a bottle containing snake and fetish items.

“Meanwhile, manhunt for the apprehension of other gang members are in place. The suspect will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation.”

Barde said operatives of “the command had on 27/8/2023 arrested two armed robbery syndicates namely; Obinna Chukwuntu, male, aged 26, and Marcellinus Chinaemerem, male, aged 26”.

He said the suspects, on interrogation, confessed to the crime of robbing a woman of her Cubb-100 motorcycle and other valuables.

“I reaffirm the Command’s unalloyed determination to ensuring maximum safety and security of Imolites before, during, and after the state gubernatorial election coming up in November and also sustain the improving night-life and business activities in the state,” he said.

“However, I warn the general public who are unlawfully in possession of illicit firearms and ammunition to kindly submit such firearms to the nearest police station with a promise that it will attract no sanction or will be made to face the full wrath of the law if found in their possession.

“To this end, I commend the officers and men of the command for a job well done in achieving this crucial milestone.

“I urge Imo people to continue to support and cooperate with the police and other security agencies by remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious person or clandestine activity observed within their vicinity to the nearest police station or via the following emergency lines; 08034773600 or 08098880197.”

Other suspects paraded at the command headquarters were a 26-year-old boy who allegedly shot his friend to death and a 72-year-old who reportedly stabbed a 35-year-old relative to death over a minor argument.