9 individuals suspected to be members of an armed robbery and kidnap syndicate have been apprehended by the Enugu state police command, according to a report by Vanguard
5 of the suspects are alleged to be members of an armed robbery gang were arrested while planning a robbery operation in the state, while the other 4 suspects who were said to be kidnappers were arrested at their hideout after engaging the Anti-kidnapping unit of the command in a fierce gun battle, with other members of the syndicate receiving fatal injuries.
In press release by Ebere Amaraizu, the Enugu state Police public relations Officer (PPRO), operatives of the central police station arrested the 5 robbery suspects before they could carry out their nefarious activity.
He went ahead to give the names of the suspects as: Ukwuome Michael of No 38 Agbanike Road Abakpa Nike, Enugu, Obi Raphael Onyedika of Uzodinma close New Haven extension Enugu, Michael Orji of Mgbo Village Ohaozara Onicha, Ebonyi State, Monday Degba of Mgbo Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Chinedu Agbedo of Udi siding Enugu.
Amaraizu further stated that the operatives acted on a tip-off that the criminals had planned to use a coal city cab with plate number UWN 542 XA and fleet number 621 to carry out their scheme when officers pounced on them, and upon searching the vehicles discovered a locally made pistol, 3 live cartridges hidden by the door of the car, adding that the suspects are currently helping police out with useful confessional statements.
In the same vein officers attached to the Anti-kidnapping unit of the command apprehended 4 members of a crew of kidnappers after their hideout was raided on September 3, 2014.
The name of the suspects were also given as: Peter Uche, Chukwuemeka Aruejiofor, Sunday Joshua and Ndubuisi Nwankwo, adding that they received severe gunshot wounds after engaging operatives in a gun duel and were currently giving useful information as to the alleged kidnap of one Edith Uchedenyi and Chinwe Eze by the gang.
