By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Imo State Police Command says it had, in the past 14 days, arrested nine armed robbery and murder suspects, as well as five others for unlawful possession of firearms.

CP-Lakanu

Addressing journalists, yesterday, at the State Police Headquarters, Owerri, the Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, said the Command equally recovered two vehicles and 12 firearms from the suspects.
Giving details of the arrests, the CP said that the police had broken the jinx in the gruesome murder of a Customs Officer, while on duty at Umuhu, Ngor Okpala, by hoodlums.

He said that the Command arrested one Chibuzo Ike of Umuota, Umuhu, Ngor Okpala Local Council Area and Henry Ndubuisi Simon of 24 New Road, Amakohia, Owerri North Local Government Area, in connection with the murder of the Customs Officer.

“Our operatives stormed the hide-out of the criminals at the World Bank Housing Estate, where the AK 47 rifle and its magazine assigned to the slain Customs Officer were recovered,” the CP said.

Other exhibits recovered from the suspects included one Mazda 626 saloon car belonging to the slain Customs Officer, one bucket containing suspected improvised explosive device, two small batteries and one small rod.

“Investigation is still on-going and concerted efforts are being made to apprehend other members of the gang for prosecution,” the CP said.