A total of nine suspects involved in various offences ranging from criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, attempted kidnapping, stealing, adulteration of beverages and cultism have been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe in a statement on Thursday said the arrests was in line with the avowed commitment of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed N. Aliyu to deploy best policing strategies, including utilizing the re-jigged community policing model of the Nigeria Police Force, to combat acts of crime and criminality in the state.
He noted that “their arrests led to the recovery of several incriminating items, including arms and ammunition, motor vehicle and tricycle, telecom solar inverter batteries, bottles of different brands of wine suspected to be fake and adulterated, among other items.”
In a brief descriptions and breakdown of the arrests made revealed that suspects alleged to have involved in “conspiracy, vandalism and stealing of MTN Telecom solar inverter batteries we’re rounded up “on 20/02/2021 at about 0100hrs, following a distress call received at 9th Mile Police Division that hoodlums were operating at MTN Telecommunications Mast Station located at Ebe Town in Udi L.G.A. of the State. Operatives attached to the Division immediately swung into action and arrested the following male suspects namely Uzo Kingsley aged 26, of Umuezike Umuaga in Udi L.G.A. of the State, Ebere Chibuike aged 25, of Aria Road, Enugu, Agu Chinedu aged 20, of Works, New Market, Enugu, and Igwe Kingsley aged 23, of Works, New Market, Enugu.
“Sixteen (16) pieces of Solar Inverter Batteries and a yellow-coloured Hi-Jet Daihatsu Mini Bus with Registration Number: BLF 596 XA and Fleet Number: R-07/8398 they used for the operation were recovered. However, discreet investigation is ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and charge them to court.”
The police also arrested a suspect over unlawful possession of firearm and cultists. Agbo Pascal aged 25, of Ogige Market Road in Nsukka L.G.A. of the state was arrested on 18/02/2021 at about 1800hrs by operatives of the Anti-Cultism squad.
According to Ndukwe, “His(Agbo) arrest was sequel to the receipt of credible information that on 15/02/2021 the suspect, an alleged notorious cultist and leader/executioner of Senior Vikings Confraternity Cult Group, Nsukka Forum, alongside other armed members of the group; attacked a warring faction of the group and caused tension in the area.
“Preliminary investigation shows that the suspect confessed to being a member of the cult group and was involved in the said attack, while one (1) locally-made Revolver pistol with four (4) rounds of 9mm live ammunition were recovered from him. Discreet investigation is ongoing to fish out and prosecute other fleeing members of the cult group.”
In another separate arrest, one Edeh Onyedikachi, aged 29, of Eke Obinagu, Emene, Enugu, was apprehended on 15/02/2021 at about 0600hrs on offences bordering on armed robbery and attempted kidnap by operatives attached to Enugu Area Command in synergy with Neighbourhood Watch Group.
“His arrest is as a result of a distress call received that a victim was being kidnapped in an Estate at Emene, Enugu by suspected kidnappers. The victim was rescued unhurt, while other members of the kidnap gang escaped after a hot chase by the Team.
“One (1) cut-to-size locally-made gun with seven (7) rounds of live cartridges was recovered from the suspect; while discreet investigation is ongoing to arrest fleeing members of the gang and charge them to court,” the police spokesperson said.
On offences bordering on conspiracy, stealing and adulteration of beverages, operatives of Abakpa Police Division arrested one Chinedu Ibekwe aged 36 and his wife Blessing Ibekwe aged 26 both of Ndiagu-Amaechi, Awkunanaw, Enugu on 11/2/2021 at about 1500hrs.
The Command said, “their arrest was due to a report received that the duo stole bottles of different brands of wine valued at One Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira (N170,000.00) at LSG Supermarket in Abakpa-Nike Enugu, by unsuspectingly swapping them with fake and adulterated ones they brought in their car, after claiming that bank transfer payment they initiated on their bank’s mobile application platform failed.
“Preliminary investigation shows that they confessed to the crime and led the operatives to the arrest of one Onyinye Nebo aged 38, of Amagugu Road, Amaechi Awkunanaw, Enugu, alleged to be the producer of the suspected fake and adulterated bottles of different brands of wine they used in stealing the original products as revealed in different supermarkets within Enugu City.
“Fifteen (15) bottles of the suspected fake and adulterated brands of wine, including Hennessy (7 bottles), Remy Martins (4 bottles), Glenfiddich (1 bottle) and Johnny Walker Double Black (1 bottle) as well as a Toyota Camry 2.4 Model car with Registration No.: AGL 181 FR; they used for the criminal operations were recovered. The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.”
Ndukwe’s statement noted that the Commissioner, while commending efforts of the operatives involved in these operational breakthroughs, has charged Area Commanders, DPOs and Commanders of Tactical/Operational Units in the Command to sustain the increasing tempo in crime detection and prevention as well as the maintenance of public security and safety in the state.
He warned that lapses of any kind will not be tolerated.
“He also appreciates the supports received from law-abiding citizens and Neighbourhood Watch Group, which helped in making the breakthroughs possible. He further calls on residents of the State to promptly report suspected criminals and acts of criminality to the nearest Police Station by calling the Command’s emergency hotlines on: 08032003702, 08075390883, 080866712020 or 08098880172; or send an E-mail to: [email protected],” the statement concluded.
