Metro

Abia Police nab dismissed officer, 17 other suspects over crimes

The Abia Police Command has announced the arrest of a dismissed police officer and 17 other individuals for various crimes in Abia State.

Parading the suspects at the Police Command Headquarters in Umuahia, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed that the crimes committed by the suspects, comprising two females and sixteen males, include impersonation, stealing, vandalism, unlawful possession of firearms, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

She stated, “On September 11, 2023, at about 18:00 hrs, based on credible information, Ndiegoro Divisional Police Headquarters in Aba apprehended a dismissed police officer while attempting to steal an electricity transformer owned by Aba Power Company at National High School, Port-Harcourt Road, Aba.

“The suspect was found dressed in police camouflage attire, wearing a fez cap, and in possession of a fake police warrant card. He was arrested, and the stolen property was recovered. The case has been charged to court, and the suspect is remanded in correctional custody.”

Other suspects, she said, include Francis William (male), 34 years old, who vandalised an electricity transformer, and Chukwuemeka London (male), 35 years old, who was arrested with one locally made long single-barrel gun and one locally made short single-barrel gun.

The PPRO also disclosed that during a raid on criminal hideouts and black spots, “on credible intelligence regarding criminal activities at Ehere Secondary School, Aba, police detectives conducted a cordon, search, and arrest operation on September 24, 2023.

The successful operation led to the arrest of suspects involved in the illegal drug trade. Large quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and various hard drugs were recovered. The suspects have been charged to court after a thorough investigation and were remanded accordingly.”

She named the suspects as Kelechi Kalu (male, 25 years), Nnanna Nwogu (male, 35 years), Chika Ugochukwu (male, 33 years), Ndubuisi Chikere (male, 38 years), Check Bowel (male, 45 years), Ugochukwu Monday (male, 20 years), Grace Chika (female, 27 years), and Owe Mary (female, 20 years), adding that they “were arrested while in possession of a large quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, some quantities of Tramadol tablets, Tiazopam tablets, Refnor tablets, and Simnor tablets.”

Furthermore, she said that Chinedu Ukachukwu (male) was 23 years old, Chibueze Nwokocha (male) was 25 years old, Steve Okafor (male) was 17 years old, Uche Awa (male) was 23 years old, and Chisom Chijioke (male) was 17 years old. They were arrested with one cut-to-size locally fabricated single-barrel shotgun and six live cartridges.

The PPRO noted, “On October 1, 2023, Isiala Ngwa Area Command received information about a kidnapping victim held in captivity in a building in Uratta in Isiala Ngwa North LGA. Police operatives carried out an operation in the area leading to the rescue of the victim, Sylvanus Emenegu’m’, who was abducted on September 30, 2023.

The kidnappers fled upon sighting the police. Exhibits, including a motorcycle, foam, and two POS machines, were recovered at the scene.

The victim was released to his family for medical attention.” She named the suspect as one Izu Dike, who was arrested and led to the recovery of one motorcycle, one large mattress, and two POS machines.

According to her, an armed robbery suspect, Tochukwu Iheoma (male), 28 years old, was also arrested with two locally fabricated single-barrel pistols, three live cartridges, and ATM cards (belonging to Zenith and UBA banks).

Additionally, Princewill Jumbo (male), 49 years old, and Chukwuma Egwim (male), 40 years old, were arrested with a stolen Sienna space bus with Enugu registration number JRV 857 AA.

The PPRO, speaking on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, CP. Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, said, “The Police Command remains committed to implementing effective administrative and operational strategic initiatives to ensure improved service delivery, thus contributing to the creation of a secure environment for socio-economic activities to thrive in the state.

“We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all law-abiding residents of the state and will continue to work tirelessly to achieve this goal.”

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