80-year-old armourer arrested with armed robbery gang

The octogenarian, who allegedly repairs guns for the gang, was arrested along with another member.

Confirming their arrest on Thursday, the state's police commissioner, Adeyinka Adeleke, gave the names of the suspects as Emmanuel Patrick and Udenmba Ndu Ben.

According to Punch, the breakthrough was recorded on March 6, 2019, after a member of the syndicate, Emmanuel Patrick, was tracked down through one of the Nokia phones they stole from a victim.

The police boss said Patrick was arrested with a pump action gun and seven cartridges. He also admitted to partaking in three armed robbery operations in the state.

Adeleke stated that the suspect led police officers to the gang's armoury where the 80-old armourer, Udenmba, was arrested.

Udenmba confessed to the crime and also admitted that he is in charge of repairing, buying and selling arms and ammunition for the gang.

Weapons recovered from the armoury include two other pump action guns, four double-barreled guns, one single-barreled gun, one air gun, 274 cartridges, two bulletproof jackets, and four bullet holders.

The police boss added that the team is intensifying its effort towards arresting other fleeing members of the gang.