THE Imo State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate who attacked a gold shop, resulting in a gun battle with law enforcement that ended with one other suspect dead.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Barde, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, disclosed this on Saturday during a parade of suspected criminals and exhibits in Owerri, the state capital, a statement said.
Okoye noted that the jewellery carted away from the gold store was allegedly worth about N500 million.
The items recovered from the suspects included two pump action guns, four locally made pistols, eight rounds of live cartridges, and one expanded cartridge.
According to the command, the police received a distress call around 1 pm on Saturday.
It said seven hoodlums armed with sophisticated weapons and a white Hilux which had a “covered plate number” were robbing a jewellery shop at Ikenegbu in Imo State.
The police commissioner was said to have mobilised the command’s tactical team and led the operatives to the scene.
“On sighting police operatives, the hoodlums opened fire but were overwhelmed by the dexterity showcased by the gallant operatives who professionally maneuvered into vintage position and return fire which forced the hoodlums to succumb to their superior fire power,” the statement said.
“In the gun duel that ensued, one of the hoodlum was neutralized, two were arrested while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries.”
See the full statement below:
PRESS BRIEFING AND PARADING OF CRIMINAL SUSPECTS AND EXHIBITS BY CP MOHAMMED AHMED BARDE PSC(+) THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND, THROUGH THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, ASP HENRY OKOYE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 29TH OF JULY 2023, AT THE COMMAND’S HEADQUARTERS, OWERRI.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the press. On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, psc(+) I warmly welcome you to this press briefing and parading of criminal suspects.
In line with the unwavering commitment of Imo State Police Command to continue to provide a secured security atmosphere for the law abiding residents of Imo State so that socioeconomic activities will thrive in the State as well as the unflinching dedication of keeping the media and members of the public abreast with its achievements and the happenings in the State.
Today, 29TH July, 2023 Imo Police Command has once again nabbed three (3) notorious armed robbery syndicate and recovered arms, ammunition and other stolen items from the hoodlums.
ARREST OF THREE NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBERY SYNDICATE, RECOVERY OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION
In a swift follow-up to a distress call received from a civic-minded resident of the State that on the 29TH of July, 2023 at about 1300hrs, hoodlums numbering about seven, armed with sophisticated weapons came with a white Hilux covered plate number and were robbing a Jewelry shop situated at Ikenegbu in Imo State.
On the receipt of this information, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, psc(+), promptly mobilized the Command’s Tactical team and personally led the operatives to the scene.
On sighting police operatives, the hoodlums opened fire but were overwhelmed by the dexterity showcased by the gallant operatives who professionally maneuvered into vintage position and return fire which forced the hoodlums to succumb to their superior fire power. In the gun duel that ensued, one of the hoodlum was neutralized, two were arrested while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries.
On search the suspects and the scene the following items were recovered
1. Two(2) pump action guns,
2. Four (4) locally made pistol
3. Eight (8) rounds of live cartridges, one (1) expanded cartridges
4. The white helix used for the operation with reg.no BRR 586 XA i.e. after removing the black cloth used in covering the plate number
5. Jewries valued millions of naira
6. Two military under polo
7. Two special forces t-shirts
8. Bags containing other stolen items were recovered.
Due to the swift response, non of the shop owners or customers were hurt. Manhunt is intensified to arrest other fleeing suspects and the manufacturers of the locally made pistols. The duo suspect will be investigated thoroughly and arraigned in court upon completion of a discreet investigation by the Command’s Tactical Team. While the body of neutralizes suspect will be deposited at the morgue.
While commending the operatives for a job well-done, the Commissioner of Police urged them to sustain the tempo in the ongoing crusade against all forms of crime and criminality in the State.
The CP thanked the good people of Imo State for their unalloyed support and cooperation with the Police and beckon on Imolites, in particular owners of hospitals and other first aid outlets to swiftly report any person seen with or treating gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or via the Command’s emergency line via 08034773600 or 08098880197.