Police Arrest two Suspected Robbers, Recover Firearm and Ammunition in Imo

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered a firearm and several rounds of ammunition following a swift response to a distress call in Owerri.

The suspects, identified as Solomon Ejekwe, 29, and Emeka Charles, 35, were apprehended by operatives attached to the Orji Divisional Headquarters in collaboration with the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

Ejekwe is said to be a resident of Ubaha Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, while Charles reportedly hails from Umuopara Ngugo in Ikeduru Local Government Area.

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The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye.

According to the statement, the police operatives acted promptly after receiving a distress call from residents reporting an armed robbery incident at Aladinma area of Owerri.

Okoye explained that security operatives were immediately mobilised to the scene, leading to the successful arrest of the suspects.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the robbery occurred at a car wash located at Mangrove in the Aladinma area of Owerri.

According to police accounts, the victim had gone to the car wash facility to clean his vehicle when the suspects allegedly approached him while he was washing his car.

The suspects were said to have threatened the victim with a pistol and robbed him of a gold chain before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.

However, in a dramatic twist, the victim reportedly pursued the suspects using his vehicle.

During the chase, the victim succeeded in knocking down the suspects with his car, forcing them off the motorcycle and preventing their escape.

Following the crash, residents in the area reportedly intervened and overpowered the suspects.
Police sources disclosed that an angry mob began assaulting the suspects before officers arrived at the scene.

The police team subsequently rescued the suspects from the mob and took them into custody.

During the operation, officers recovered a pistol and seven rounds of live ammunition believed to have been used by the suspects during the robbery.

According to the police spokesperson, the suspects sustained injuries during the incident and were immediately taken to the police medical centre for treatment.

Okoye added that the suspects would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

“The suspects have been rushed to the police medical centre for medical attention and will be arraigned in court on appropriate criminal charges as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Audu Garba Bosso, commended the swift response of police officers involved in the operation.

He also praised members of the public whose prompt reporting of the incident assisted the police in apprehending the suspects.
While appreciating the cooperation of residents, the police commissioner cautioned against mob action and jungle justice.

Bosso urged members of the public to always allow law enforcement agencies to handle criminal suspects in accordance with the law.
He stressed that taking the law into one’s own hands could lead to unnecessary loss of lives and undermine the justice system.

The police commissioner further encouraged residents of Imo State to continue providing credible information to security agencies to assist in the fight against crime and criminal activities in the state.