By Chidi Nkwopara & Chinonso Alozie

OWERRI—The Imo State Police Command, last Wednesday, arrested two notorious armed robbery suspects, whose stock in trade is robbing bank customers of their hard earned money. The latest success story came less than 48 hours after the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, paraded several suspects for varying criminal activities, including armed robbery and kidnapping.

The two suspects, who are now telling the police what they know about the instant case, includes 33-year old Ogochukwu Mbasike, from Amurie Omanze in Isu local council area and 27-year old Obinna Osunwa of Obinwanne, Umuaka, Njab local government area, all in Imo State.

Vanguard gathered that luck ran out on the duo, when they attacked and dispossessed an unsuspecting customer of one of the old generation banks (names withheld), along Bank Road, Owerri. It was also  gathered that the victim had successfully withdrawn about N144,000, and concealed it in a polythene bag.

“The suspects, who were  operating on a motorcycle, snatched the polythene bag containing the cash, from the victim and made a spirited effort to escape, but were caught on their track,” a bank staff told Vanguard. Confirming the incident to Vanguard yesterday in a telephone chat, the CP said that “our men quickly swung into action as soon as the Command received the distress call”.

Continuing, the CP said that the suspects have been on the wanted list of the Command, following previous reports of similar systematic robbery activities around the commercial banks. “Serious investigation has commenced on the reported crime. The suspects have also been identified by their former victims. They would soon be charged to court accordingly”, the Imo police boss said.

He then warned criminals operating in the state of the dire consequences that would trail them, if they do not retrace their steps. “This Command is very determined to take the battle to the door steps of the criminals. All we ask for is credible and timely information from members of the public, especially as these bad people don’t live in the moon”, the CP said.