A suspected armed robber has been apprehended by men of the Imo state police in the Oguta area of the state.
A statement released by the spokesperson of the state police command, CSP Michael Abattam, says on October 26, at about 9am, a report of Burglary and stealing was received by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Oguta Police Station and his investigation team immediately swung into action to identify and arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
Abattam said after a diligent gathering of credible intelligence, on October 27 at about 12pm, one Nnura Henry Afam ‘m’ aged 34 years old and a native of Umuayata village in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State was arrested.
''In the course of interrogation the suspect confessed to the crime, claiming that it was his boss, Ebuka surname unknown alias “Small Witch” that instructed him to broke into the complainant’s house at night time and steal the properties and to take all the stolen items to his (Ebuka’s) house.
He further revealed that they belong to an armed robbery gang and Ebuka alias “Small Witch” is the Head of the gang, that has been terrorizing communities in Oguta Local Government Area and its environs. He then led the investigating team to the house of Ebuka alias “Small Witch” where the stolen items were kept.
The suspect on sighting the police from a distance arriving his residence, immediately locked his door from the inside and escaped through the rear door into the bush. However, the door was forced open, searched and the following items were recovered to the station. They include; Three (3) automatic English made Beretta Pistols, Forty-six (46) live GPMG ammunition, Fifty-eight (58) live 7.62mm M240 machine gun ammunition, Seventy-two (72) AK-47 rifle 5.56mm live ammunition, Two (2) empty Pistol magazine, Twenty three (23) live cartridges, Thirty nine (39) .9mm ammunition, Sixteen (16) live LAR rifle ammunition, One (1) damaged pistol magazine, One (1) damaged G3 magazine, two (2) Itel handset, One (1) Motorcycle, One (1) bicycle, Three (3) Television sets and his personal picture. ''the statement read
The police spokesperson said efforts are in top gear to arrest the fleeing suspect and other members of his gang. In the same vein, the Command is partnering with community leaders/stakeholders, vigilante groups and hunters associations for credible information that will assist in curbing violent crimes in the State.
''The command is also using this medium to advise Imolites to always in time of distress, call the Command’s emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.'' Abattam said.