Police arrest three-man gang of armed robbers, three women with fake naira notes

It was an end of road for suspected criminals in Imo, as officers of the state Police Command arrested a three -man gang of notorious armed robbers, who had been terrorising their victims in various parts of the state.

They were apprehended during special combing /raid on Wednesday. Also, three women were also arrested by a crack team of the police in the state’s command, for allegedly being in possession of thousands of alleged fake naira currency.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the arrests to The Guardian, on Thursday, disclosing that they had consented to committing the crimes.

Enwerem said the Police Commissioner, Taowo Lakanu, had directed the officers to arrest the culprits, adding that the arrests of the three females, including a pregnant lady, was carried out by a team of police officers led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Council, Danjuma Ragga, a Superintendent of Police (SP).

Currency notes, he said, recovered from the women included the denominations of N5, N10, N20, N50, N100, N200 and N200 of equal size. He disclosed that they measured 151 * 78 km with special paper specification.

According to him, the suspects had snatched a Toyota Avalon car from their victim, among others before they were apprehended.

A statement by the PPRO, said: “In the cause of renewed onslaught and adoption of new strategies to stem the tide of crime and criminality in Imo State, luck has run out of the three-man armed robbery syndicate operating with a Blue colour Volks wagon Passat vehicle. They specialise in robbing petrol stations and snatching of cars in Ahiazu Mbaise/Obowo/Etiti environs of the state.

“On 6/7/2016, a victim from Ahiazu Mbaise ocal Council was robbed on gun point of his Toyota Avalon Ash colour saloon car with Reg. No. FJ-609-KRD at MM Maris Petrol Station at Aguneze in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Council. Operatives of the command quickly swung into action and cobwebbed the exit routes. Three of the notorious suspects fell into the Police cobweb with the stolen vehicle while one escaped with their arms. The three suspects were, however, arrested at Obowo Malaysia market en route Umuahia Abia State.

The suspects arrested, he named as the alleged hoodlums as: “Chibuike Oko, male, 27 from Ngodo Afikpo North Local Council, Ebonyi State; Uchenna Kalu, male, 32, of Ihungwu Amankelu Igbere Bende Local Council of Abia State, Ifeanyi Emenike, male, 28, of Umuobutu Umuahia South Local Council of Abia State.