As Anambra Police parade 50, recover arms, stolen property

By Vincent Ujumadu & Francis Igata

Leader of a trans-border gang, which allegedly specialises in armed robbery and kidnapping along border towns of Enugu and Anambra states, has been arrested by operatives of anti-kidnapping unit of Enugu State Police Command.

This came as Anambra State Police Command in Awka, yesterday, paraded 50 suspected criminals allegedly involved in various crimes in parts of the state, with those paraded including suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and car snatchers.

The alleged ring leader (names withheld) resident in Owerri, Imo State, was apprehended following a gun duel between his gang and men of the Police along Enugu-Anambra border town at about 4.56p.m.

The suspect’s arrest was confirmed yesterday in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, DSP.
Meanwhile, those paraded by Anambra State police command included suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and vehicle snatchers.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, who paraded the suspects at the state police headquarters yesterday, said they were arrested within the past three weeks.
Among the suspects, according to the commissioner, were four criminals allegedly terrorising churches; those that robbed a bank in Nnewi and a lady, who allegedly keeps kidnap victims in her father’s house at Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state.

Also in the command’s net is a native doctor who is said to specialise in preparing charms for criminals.
Some of the items recovered from the suspects are AK-47 rifles, fake vehicle plate numbers, vehicles of various makes and air-conditioners.