The Enugu State Police Command has arrested five suspects and recovered three firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits in separate operations across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said the operations, conducted between Sept. 18 and Oct. 7, followed intelligence and distress calls relating to alleged armed robbery, cultism and other criminal activities.
He said operatives of the Inyi Police Division, responding to a distress call at about 5:10 a.m. on Oct. 7, arrested 26-year-old Arinze Osita Onwuaso during an alleged armed robbery operation at Umuaor, Umukabia Isiama Awlaw Community in Oji River Local Government Area.
According to him, other suspects fled the scene, while operatives recovered a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, a pry bar, hammer, scissors and chisel.
Ndukwe said operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Nsukka Sector, also arrested two suspected cultists at Umudioka Community, Nsukka, on Oct. 5.
He identified the suspects as 24-year-old Jonas Adejo, also known as J-Money, and 25-year-old Okoro Innocent, alias Virus.
The PPRO said three rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the suspects, adding that they allegedly confessed during interrogation to membership of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
He further said operatives of the Aninri Division, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, raided a suspected criminal hideout at Amagu Mpu Community in Aninri LGA on Sept. 25.
The operation, he said, led to the arrest of 25-year-old Anichebe Ogbonna, from whom a locally made pistol was recovered.
Ndukwe said operatives of the 9th Mile Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, also arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka at Ameke-Ngwo, Udi LGA, on Sept. 18.
He said the suspect was allegedly involved in armed robbery in the area, adding that operatives recovered a cut-to-size pump-action gun and one live cartridge.
The PPRO said investigations into the cases were ongoing and that the suspects would be arraigned upon conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Giwa, has commended residents for providing credible information and the operatives for their prompt response.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes in the state.
CP Giwa urged residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding and to continue providing timely information on suspicious activities.
