Operation puff adder: Police arrest one chance robbery syndicate

Police Operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder have arrested a one chance robbery syndicate at Upper Iweka, Onitsha.

The suspects include one Chiemezie Udoye of Umuomaku Anambra state, Chinenye Okonkwo of Awomamma Imo state, Friday Nweze of Nnenwe Enugu state and Chijioke Oforkalu of Ihedioma Arochukwu in Abia state.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer SP Hariuna Mohammed, the suspects are members of “One chance robbery syndicate ” terrorising Onitsha and environs particularly at Upper Iweka and Housing Estates Gate along Onitsha -Asaba Expressway.

The statement said that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects have been in the business of one chance robbery for long using white and yellow coloured Mitsubishi L300 Bus REG No XD 364 AGL which was also recovered, to perpetuate the crime.

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It disclosed that they also robbed two ladies of their handsets and other valuables shortly before their arrest, adding that the case is under investigation after which the suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution.

The statement also said that during the week under review, the Command Operations Puff Adder and Special Anti Cult unit (SPACS) also carried out series of Raids on Criminal hideouts at various locations within the state which include, Aguleri, Umueri axis, Nando, Nteje axis, Igbariam, Ukwulu axis, Awka town, Obosi , Okija , Okpuno and Osumenyi.

According to the statement, from all the raids carried out, a total of seventy- five suspects were arrested, twenty-five suspects were screened out, twenty- two suspects were charged to court and eleven were placed under police supervision, while seventeen others are under investigation.

It said that exhibits recovered include, one bag containing dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, three barrettes, three improvised bunkers for inhaling substances suspected to be cocaine.