By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Imo State Police Command has in a renewed offensive against criminals and crime in the state, arrested one Augustine Ogbonna, a 300-level law student of Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus,  native of Nkwelle in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra state, for armed robbery.

Confirming this to Vanguard, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Linus Nwaiwu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said that the sum of N2,752,500 cash was recovered from the gangster, while other fleeing robbers have been declared wanted by the Command.

According to the PPRO, the arrested suspect on interrogation, gave the names of his accomplice, which included one Agwuiyi, a 300-level Project Management student of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, who resides in Umuayom, Awka, with his parents.

On how the suspect was apprehended, Nwaiwu said that based on a credible tip-off that the gang was taking refuge in an undisclosed hotel in Orji, Owerri North Local Government Area, the Command dispatched a crack team that went after the gangsters.

“The detectives intercepted the gang along Owerri-Umuahia road and after an exchange of gunfire, Augustine Ogbonna was arrested. While pursuing the fleeing suspects, who escaped in a metallic ash Volvo S60 car, the police stumbled on further information”, the PPRO said.

Nwaiwu further said that following reliable information given to the detectives, the police discovered the armoury of the gang somewhere in Amaraku, Isiala Mbano, where a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered.