Police intensify hunt for herbalist, who treats injured robbers

The Police Command in Enugu State said it has intensified effort for the arrest of an herbalist, who specialises in the treatment of armed robbers wounded during operations.

The herbalist, whose names could not be obtained, according to the police, runs a clinic at Orba in Udenu Local Council, which allegedly also serves as hideouts for criminals after robbery.

A statement from the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, said the herbalist ran away from his clinic when a team of police officials stormed the place.

However, one Ambrose Okwudili Ugwu, who was in his custody, was arrested with bullet wounds.

Amaraizu said Ugwu was receiving treatment at the clinic for injuries he sustained during operations, adding that the herbalist was lucky as he escaped before the arrival of the team.

Ugwu, the statement disclosed, hails from Isiamali village, Ohodo in Igboetiti Local Council.

He further stated that the suspect alongside others had last week blocked the Enugu-Makurdi Expressway by Echara Ohodo with heavy woods and had held motorists hostage at about 2.00a.m. before a combined team of Special Anti- Robbery Squad and soldiers on patrol dislodged them.

Amaraizu said the police believed that the suspect would have received the bullet injuries during a gun duel that ensued with the police the day they blocked the highway and escaped into the bush.

“It was not until July 1, through intelligence we gathered, that we knew some members of the gang were being treated by the herbalist, which made the police to raid the clinic, where one of the suspects was arrested with bullet injuries,” he said.