Police destroy robbery, kidnap syndicates, arrest five

Anambra State Police Command has dismantled an armed robbery and kidnap syndicate with the detention of five suspects in Isiagu, near Awka, the state capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Awka stated that the suspects were caught, following a report that somebody was abducted in his farm at Isiagu, and later released after ransom was paid.

“The command in a swift operation on August 27, caught five suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate.”

According to him, acting on credible intelligence, Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu stormed the suspects’ hideout at Notoko, Awka.

“The operation led to the detention of the following persons: Michael Nwobodo, male, 30, Friday Eze, male, 29, Uche Okolo, male, 23, Chinedu Gilbert, male 29 and Dominic Oraz, male, 38,” the PPRO added.

He further stated that some of the exhibits recovered from the suspects, included six automatic pump-action guns, 63 rounds of live cartridges, one microscope, five machetes, one military cap, two police teargas canisters and handcuffs.

Other items were one rocket launcher, charms, three Motorola walkie-talkies, one jack knife, one power bank and ₦26,000 cash.

The police spokesman said that during interrogation, Oraz confessed to having deserted the Nigerian Army in November 2024.

He said the command had commenced enquiry with the army authoritie to guide the police action and prosecution of other suspects.

Ikenga quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, as commending the operatives for their gallantry.

Orutugu was also reported to have urged residents of the state to remain law-abiding and vigilant and continue to report suspicious activities to the police for prompt action.

“He also assured residents of the  command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes in the state,” the statement added.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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