8 Persons Including a Dismissed Soldier Arrested in Enugu For Armed Robbery
According to the Enugu State Police Command, an interstate criminal syndicate that specialized in fraud and armed robbery has been arrested.
DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the state police public relations officer, announced this in a statement on Saturday.
A dismissed soldier and seven other male suspects were apprehended as a result of the coordinated operation by the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the Neighbourhood Watch Group, according to Ndukwe.
The statement read, “The Enugu State Police Command has successfully dismantled an interstate criminal syndicate that specialised in armed robbery and financial fraud.
“This was achieved through coordinated operations involving the Emene Division, Crack, and Octopus Tactical Squads, alongside the Neighbourhood Watch Group, which led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, cash, and other stolen items.
“The arrested suspects include Ismaila Isah (aged 23), Sadik Ahmed (a dismissed soldier, aged 28), Abbas Usman (aged 33), Mubarak Garba (aged 24), Abubakar Haruna (aged 23), Abubakar Sani (aged 32), Obiri Chukwuebuka (aged 22), and Bright Omeniru (aged 22).:
According to the statement, the police also found ₦300,450 in cash and two locally manufactured pistols, one with a spent cartridge and the other with a live cartridge.
Ten laptops, land documents, ten cell phones, jewelry, watches, an MP3 player, headphones, four power banks, two SIM cards, shoes, and bags were among the other items confiscated.
he statement added, “The operation commenced on November 12, 2024, around 3:30 a.m., when operatives from the Emene Division, supported by Neighbourhood Watch members, responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery at an estate in Emene. During the operation, Ismaila Isah was apprehended with one locally made pistol, the said ₦300,450.00, and some stolen items, while others escaped.
“Ismaila was later transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad for further investigation. His confessional statements and subsequent discreet investigations led to the arrest of Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu. Another locally made pistol and additional stolen items were recovered.
“Furthermore, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Squad utilised an intelligence report and arrested Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru in Owerri, Imo State. During interrogation, they admitted to using phones stolen by the syndicate to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ bank accounts. Two SIM cards from different networks were also recovered.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and exploited victims’ SIM cards to commit fraud.
“The suspects also confessed to transporting and selling stolen goods in Imo and other states. Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, admitted to using his security background to bypass police checkpoints while trafficking stolen items across the state.”
It added that the suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
