Police bust robbery gangs, kill two in Anambra

A yet-to-be-identified member of a four-man robbery gang was shot dead by the operatives of the Anambra State Police Command.

The suspect was killed for pulling out a pistol in an attempt to shoot police officers who were at a checkpoint.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident happened on Sunday at Igboukwu community in the Aguata Local Government Area of the state, during which the remaining three members of the gang were also arrested while a Barreta pistol and dagger were recovered from them.

The state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects boarded a commercial bus from Nnewi and were heading to an unknown destination before they met the police at the checkpoint.

He said, “Police officers attached to the Anambra State Police Command have smashed an armed gang at Igboukwu in Aguata LGA.

“The gang, which boarded a commercial bus from Nnewi today, Sunday, January 14, 2024 arrived police checkpoint and were stopped for a search. One of the hoodlums alighted, pulled a Baretta pistol and was gunned down.

“A search of the bag they were travelling with yielded a concealed dagger.”

He added that the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Aderemi Adeoye, who praised the personnel for their vigilance, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case for thorough investigation.

He pointed out that the CP also ordered the immediate release of two elderly passengers who boarded the bus at a different location.

“The Command wishes to assure the good people of Anambra State that it will always live up to its responsibility in safeguarding lives and property of all law-abiding citizens in the state,” he added.

Similarly, the state police command said it also foiled an armed robbery operation in Ubiahuikwem, Ihiala LGA and neutralised one of the hoodlums.

The state police spokesman, Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, adding that the police special crack squad deployed in Ihiala by CP Adeoye carried out the exercise on the suspected robbers.

He said one automatic pump action gun and two motorcycles were recovered from the hoodlums.

The statement read, “Police Special Crack Squad deployed to Ihiala by Anambra State Commissioner of Police weeks before Christmas has foiled an armed robbery operation and neutralised one of the hoodlums.

“The crack squad which works with the local vigilante had restored calm in the ancient city making it possible for Ihiala sons and daughters who trooped in from the Diaspora and elsewhere to enjoy the festive season.

“The encounter with the gunmen occurred in the night of  January 12, 2024 as they attempted to rob a middle-aged man of his vehicle at Ubiahuikwem, Ihiala.

“On sighting the squad, the gunmen who operated on two motorcycles opened fire on the police. The operatives professionally engaged them to avoid hitting the would-be victim of the armed robbery who then zoomed off from the scene.

“One automatic pump action gun and two motorcycles were recovered from the hoodlums.”

Ikenga added that the Commissioner of Police charged the police squad not to relent in flushing out all criminal elements out of Ihiala and neighbouring communities like Isseke, Lilu, Orsumoghu and Azia.

“The CP promised continuous logistic support to the squad to ensure it fulfils its mandate,” he added.