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Two individuals suspected to be part of an armed robbery syndicate were apprehended by the Imo State Police Command after engaging in a gun battle, resulting in the death of another suspect.
An official statement indicated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Barde, represented by Police Public Relations Officer Henry Okoye, disclosed this information during a parade of suspected criminals and exhibits held in Owerri, the state capital, on Saturday.
The suspects were found in possession of two pump-action guns, four locally made pistols, eight live cartridges, and one expanded cartridge, all of which were recovered by the police.
As reported by the command, the police got a distress call at about 1 pm on Saturday.
The report mentioned that seven hoodlums, wielding sophisticated weapons, and commuting in a white Hilux with a concealed plate number, were involved in a robbery at a jewelry shop in Ikenegbu, Imo State.
‘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.’
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The full statement reads:
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.
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Thanks to the immediate response prevented any harm to shop owners or customers. The law enforcement is now intensifying their efforts to apprehend the other fleeing suspects and the manufacturers of the homemade pistols.
Following a comprehensive investigation by the Command’s Tactical Team, the two suspects will face charges in court, while the body of the neutralised suspect will be placed in the morgue.
The Commissioner of Police took the opportunity to applaud the operatives for their outstanding achievements and urged them to persevere in their ongoing crusade against crime and criminality in the State.
Grateful for the immense support and cooperation from the people of Imo State, the CP implored all Imolites, including proprietors of hospitals and first aid outlets, to immediately report any person sighted with or tending to gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or via the Command’s emergency line using 08034773600 or 08098880197.
