ARMED ROBBERY: DISMISSED SOLDIER, SEVEN OTHER SUSPECTS, APPREHENDED IN ENUGU

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Enugu State Police Command has announced the dismantling of an interstate criminal syndicate specialised in armed robbery and financial fraud.

Together with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, the Emene Division, Crack, and Octopus Tactical Squads conducted synchronized operations that resulted in the arrest of eight (8) male suspects and the seizure of firearms, ammo, cash, and other stolen property, according to the statement.

DSP Daniel Ndukwe, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Enugu State Command, on Saturday.

The following individuals have been taken into custody: Ismaila Isah (age 23), Sadik Ahmed (age 28, a dismissed soldier), Abbas Usman (age 33), Mubarak Garba (age 24), Abubakar Haruna (age 23), Abubakar Sani (age 32), Obiri Chukwuebuka (age 22), and Bright Omeniru (age 22).

According to Ndukwe, “Two locally made pistols loaded with a live and expended cartridge and a cash sum of three hundred thousand, four hundred and fifty Naira (N300,450.00) were recovered.

“Further recovered are ten laptops, land documents, ten mobile phones, assorted jewellery and watches, one MP3 player, one headphone, four power banks, two SIM cards, footwear, and bags.

“The operation commenced on November 12, 2024, around 3:30 a.m., when operatives from the Emene Division, supported by Neighbourhood Watch members, responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery at an estate in Emene.

“During the operation, Ismaila Isah was apprehended with one locally made pistol, the said N300,450.00, and some stolen items, while others escaped.

“Ismaila was later transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad for further investigation.

“His confessional statements and subsequent discreet investigations led to the arrest of Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu. Another locally made pistol and additional stolen items were recovered.”

He further mentioned that Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru were taken into custody in Owerri, Imo State, by Octopus Tactical Squad agents using an intelligence report.

“During interrogation, they admitted to using phones stolen by the syndicate to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ bank accounts. Two SIM cards from different networks were also recovered.

“Investigations reveal that the suspects confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and using the victims’ mobile phones’ SIM cards to also commit acts of fraud.

“They further confessed to moving and selling the stolen proceeds in Imo and other States. Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, admitted to exploiting his background as a former security agent to bypass checkpoints during the interstate shipment of the stolen items.

“The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has commended the operatives for the operational breakthroughs.

“He urges them to sustain the momentum against criminal activities, especially during the festive season,” the PPRO further stated.