Police arrest suspected armed robber in Imo

The Imo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a 32-year-old armed robbery suspect identified as Chukwudi Oguzie.

According to a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, the suspect is a member of a notorious gang that has been on the wanted list of the police in the state.

The arrest was made when operatives of the command were on a stop and search duty.

During the search, the suspect was found in possession of three locally made pistols, 15 rounds of live cartridges, and various types of illicit hard drugs.

In the statement, Okoye said the arrest was part of the command’s efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and their activities.

He added that the police are determined to put an end to armed robbery, kidnapping, and other criminal activities in the state.

The statement read, “Operatives of the command’s tactical team on April 2023, at about 12:30hrs, while on surveillance patrol along Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, apprehended one Oguzie Chukwudi ‘m’ 32yrs, of Amasa Ngugo, Ikeduru LGA, Imo state, unlawfully in possession of three locally made Revolver Pistols, 15 rounds of live cartridges, varieties of prohibited hard drugs and other robbed items.

“The arrest of the hoodlum was sequel to the dexterity and curiosity shown by the clever operatives while conducting an intelligence-led stop-and-search on a commercial bus they intercepted.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is the gang leader of a notorious armed robbery syndicate on the command’s wanted list, famous for their nefarious activities in the state.

“He equally confessed to some of the crimes perpetrated by his gang. Effort is on top gear to track down other suspects at large and the local manufacturer of the gun. They will be arraigned in court on completion of a diligent investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Barde, while commending the operatives for their proactiveness, charged them to dominate the entire security space and continue to mop-up illicit fire arms from the hands of criminally minded elements in the state.