Four suspected armed robbers have met their early death on 30th November, 2014 at about 2030hrs (8:30pm standard time) during a shootout engaged with the police patrol team.
Briefing newsmen yesterday, the commissioner of police, Imo State command, Abudmajid Ali disclosed that a five-man gang of armed robbers operating with an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. YC-755-KJA, while robbing a shop at Federal Polytechnic Nekede junction, was intercepted by Eagle Eye Police Patrol Team.
According to Commissioner Ali, the suspected armed robbers, while sighting the police patrol team, engaged them with in a shootout.
“During the ensued gun battle, four of the robbers sustained serious gunshot injuries. They were rushed to FMC Owerri where they were confirmed dead. Exhibits recovered from the gang include: one English-made double barrel cut to size, one locally made single barrel shotgun and six rounds of live cartridges. Meanwhile, the state police commissioner informed newsmen that one Lucky Amaechi (male) 23 years of age, native of Umuayika Ngor in Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State who is a member of the gang was arrested unhurt and is now cooperating with the police in investigation.
In a related development, the State Police Command Surveillance Squad on 22nd November, 2014 at about 2030hrs received information that two ladies were robbed and thrown out of a moving tricycle (keke napep) along Aba road, Owerri, Imo State which made the police patrol team to swing into action where the hoodlums were given a chase, but later arrested the keke rider, a 23 year-old man, Chinwendu Ogu, who hails from Umueke in Ibeku LGA of Abia State while others escaped. The police commissioner revealed that one single barrel shotgun loaded with live cartridges was recovered from the tricycle rider.
In furtherance, the police command also paraded two persons for unlawful possession of firearms. According to the police commissioner, the command surveillance squad arrested one Ifeanyichukwu Nwafor (male) 23 years who hails from Abukwa Umuobom in Ideato South LGA of Imo State for being in possession of one locally made pistol with live cartridges which he concealed inside a note book cut to size while another person, one Valentine Eke (male) 19 years old, who lives at No. 137 Ikenegbu Extension Owerri was arrested on Sunday 30th November, 2014 while threatening his neighbour with a pump action gun in the same compound.
Therefore Commissioner Ali has intensified the command’s continued efforts and determination to wipe out crime in the state through intelligence and visibility policing strategy.
