The Imo State Police Command has successfully apprehended two suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate following a violent gold shop robbery that resulted in a gun battle with law enforcement. The incident also saw one other suspect lose his life in the confrontation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Barde, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, made the disclosure during a parade of suspected criminals and exhibits in Owerri, the state capital.
According to the statement, the gold shop robbery took place in Ikenegbu, Imo State, with the culprits making away with jewellery allegedly worth about N500 million. The police received a distress call around 1 pm on Saturday, reporting that seven hoodlums armed with sophisticated weapons were involved in the robbery, using a white Hilux with a covered plate number.
In response, the police commissioner mobilized the command’s tactical team and led them to the scene. The armed robbers opened fire upon sighting the police operatives, but they were overpowered by the well-coordinated response from the law enforcement team. The gun duel resulted in the neutralization of one of the suspects, while two others were apprehended. The remaining criminals managed to escape with gunshot injuries.
The police seized two pump action guns, four locally made pistols, eight rounds of live cartridges, and one expanded cartridge during the operation. They also recovered the white Hilux used by the robbers, which had its plate number concealed.
The swift and effective response by the police ensured that none of the shop owners or customers were harmed during the robbery. The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for their professional and gallant actions, urging them to maintain the same level of dedication in the fight against crime in the state.
The two arrested suspects will undergo a thorough investigation before being arraigned in court. The police are intensifying their efforts to capture the remaining fleeing criminals and locate the manufacturers of the locally made pistols.
CP Barde expressed his gratitude to the people of Imo State for their unwavering support and cooperation with the police. He also called on citizens, especially owners of hospitals and first aid outlets, to promptly report any person seen with or seeking treatment for gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or the Command’s emergency line.
The police’s swift response and successful apprehension of the suspects demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a secure and peaceful environment for the residents of Imo State.
