Police smash 4-man armed robbery syndicate

The Police Command in Imo said on Thursday that it had smashed a four-man armed robbery syndicate.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem and made available to newsmen in Owerri.

The statement said that the gang had robbed a victim at gun point of his ash coloured Toyota Avalon Saloon car with Registration number FJ-609-KRD, at a Petrol Station at Aguneze in Ahiazu Mbaise Local government Area on Wednesday.

According to the statement, three members of the syndicate were arrested while fleeing in the stolen vehicle, while the fourth suspect escaped with their arms.

It further said that the gang specialised in robbing petrol stations and snatching cars in Ahiazu Mbaise/Obowo/Etiti environs of the state and that it operates with a blue-colour Volks Wagen Passat vehicle.

It said that suspects were arrested at Obowo Malasia market en route Umuahia, the Abia capital, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

The statement gave the names of the arrested suspects as Chibuike Oko (27), from Ngodo Afikpo North Local Government of Ebonyi and Uchenna Kalu (32) of Ihungwu Amankelu, Igbere in Bende Local G overnment of Abia.

The third suspect is Ifeanyi Emenike (28) of Umuobutu in Umuahia South Local Government of Abia.

According to the statement, the suspects have been identified by the victim, adding the they have have made useful statements to the Police.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects were a blue-coloured Volks Wagon Passat vehicle and N282,000, it said.