12 Vehicles Recovered as Abia Police Pin Down Interstate Bandits

Some vehicles snatched by robbers in Edo, Enugu and Port Harcourt have been recovered by the police in Abia.

Abia State Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr Adeleye Oyebade revealed at a press conference in Umuahia that his men recovered 12 vehicles in the past one week while on patrol.

He also celebrated his men who smashed gangs of armed robbers and kidnappers in different parts of the state during the week.

He said that the Command recorded various achievements through “the implementation of its identified crime fighting strategies”.

On the list of recovered vehicles are Toyota Turbo, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Almira, Sienna Van and motorbikes.

Also on the list of the recovered stolen vehicles is one Suzuki mini bus, marked SSM 731 ZJ, recovered on June 26 by operatives attached to Eastern Ngwa Division at Umuokawo village; one Toyota Lexus RX 300 Jeep, marked SSM 906 TP, recovered on June 22 by a patrol team attached to Ohuru Isimmiri Division; one Toyota RAV 4, marked RBC 785 BT, recovered on June 18, by men of Counter Terrorist Unit positioned along Okigwe road; one Toyota Camry car, marked SMK 512 EM, recovered on June 21 along Umuagula/Ohanze road by surveillance team attached to Eastern Ngwa Division; one Nissan Xterra Jeep, marked GGJ 388 AA, recovered on June 16 by patrol team attached to Ndiegoro Division at Umuogele area in Aba, and one Nissan Almera car, marked EPE 706 DX, recovered by Safer-Highway patrol teams on June 26 at Alaoji area in Ugwunagbo Aba.

Oyebade said, “In its determination to rid Abia State of crime and criminality the police embarked on numerous proactive measures to ensure that crimes are nipped in the bud and perpetrators of heinous and violent crimes put on check.”

Giving details of the achievements in his situation report, Oyebade said: “On June 17, 2017 at about 1900hours, based on information, men of 55PMF in Aba, while on intensive stop and search operation at Ihie Nipping point, intercepted a Toyota Corolla car with registration number SMK 543 DB, black in colour, suspected to have been stolen or removed from where it was parked.

“The driver and the occupants abandoned the vehicle and took to their heels; a photocopy of the vehicle particulars, original license and a complimentary card bearing the name Ezekiel Francis of Edo State were recovered during search of the vehicle. The said Ezekiel Francis was contacted through a GSM number on the complimentary card and he confirmed that the vehicle was snatched from him in Edo State. Efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing hoodlums.

Also on June 17, at about 7:50pm, a Lexus SUV and a Toyota Turbo were recovered by the police.

Oyebade said, “One Chinelo reported at Abayi Division in Aba that she sighted her husband’s black Lexus Jeep with registration number EKY 87 AU, at a car stand. Based on the report, operatives attached to Abayi Division swung into action and raced to the car stand which belongs to one Calistus Igbokwe of House Number 19 MCC Road Aba. The said vehicle, which was stolen from where it was parked at the residence of the owner on June 11, 2017, at about 11:58pm, was recovered. One Toyota Turbo with registration number GGE 988 EH, dark ash in colour, whose owner, Eloka Nnamani confirmed was snatched from him on April 22, 2017, in Enugu, was also recovered. The suspect was arrested and investigation is in progress to unravel the culprits.

“On June 19, at about 1100hours, a team of policemen attached to 55 PMF Aba, while on Patrol of Alaoji Area, Ugwunagbo, sighted one Toyota Corolla Car marked SMK 543 DB, black in colour, surrounded by some young men. The young men on sighting the PMF team ran into the bush abandoning the car. A search conducted on the vehicle led to the recovery of its particulars bearing the name, Odiete, the Director, Dan Odiete and Co. in Benin City, Edo State. Further inquiry through a phone call to the owner revealed that the car was snatched from his Branch Manager, one Aziken Francis on June 14 in Benin. The car was recovered and brought to Ugwunagbo Division while investigation is in progress.

“On June 27, at about 2045hrs, responding to information relayed through Control Room Aba that a vehicle was snatched along Aba/Umuahia Express Road together with the passengers, patrol team attached to Osisioma Division swung into action and intercepted the vehicle along Eke-Akpara Road heading towards Omuma in Rivers State. The hoodlums on sighting the Police patrol team fled into the bush abandoning the Sienna Van with the passengers. During a search on the vehicle, one Pump Action Rifle with two cartridges was recovered as well as the vehicle. The passengers were rescued. Investigation is in progress.

“On June 17, 2017, at about 12:15am, following a distress call from Umuada area, in Aba, that robbers were operating in the area, a patrol team attached to Central Police Station, Aba, responded promptly and arrested one Chukwuebuka Kelvin Mbahaotu, a 27-year-old ex-convict, while escaping from the scene. The suspect was arrested with a hand bag containing eight different GSM phones, six ATM cards, one torch-light, various Sim cards, sum of N7, 180 cash, one Gucci face cap and other items stolen. He, however, confessed to being a one man gang robber operating within the Aba metropolis and all the items have been identified by their various owners.

“On June 17, at about 0930hours, on information, patrol team attached to Ohuru-Isimiri Division arrested one Chibuike Kingsley and Chinaza Joseph who allegedly robbed one Okonkwo Uchenna of N6, 000 only, one Samsung Phone valued at N350,000 only along Glass Industry Road Ohuru-Isimiri.

“On June 18 at about 1800hours, on a tip off, surveillance team attached to Eastern Ngwa Division arrested one Chibueze Chima of Amaufuru Village Ntighauzo Obingwa L.G.A. The suspect is reported to have been terrorizing the entire Community with his gang members. One cut to size serviceable Double Barrel Gun was recovered from the suspect and he is giving a lead toward the arrest of his gang members.”

A suspected kidnapper was arrested and a hostage set free on June 18.

The CP said, “Following a report that one Ejiogu of Umueze Ibeku, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State was abducted by unknown 5-man armed gang. Detectives attached to Anti-Kidnapping Squad (D7) of SCIID Umuahia led by the Commander swooped on one Orji Uka of Ekoli Edda in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State at the point of collecting N1, 000, 000 as ransom on June 21 at Nekede/Ihiagwa, Owerri West LGA of Imo State. The suspect, who confessed to the crime, gave a lead which resulted in the rescue of the hostage unhurt on June 22. However, the hostage has reunited with members of his family and his Nissan Almera car recovered by men of Safer Highway patrol teams at Alaoji Ugwunagbo, Aba. Efforts are on top gear to arrest other members of the kidnapping gang.”

Oyebade also mentioned the arrest of one armed robbery suspect who allegedly robbed a woman at gunpoint in her shop.

The victim identified as Nneka allegedly lost her phones, recharge cards, laptop and N50, 000 to the suspect identified as Chidiebere Onuoha and two others. Detectives attached to Ndiegoro Division arrested the suspect, who allegedly confessed to the crime.

Oyebade added, “On June 20 at about 2300hours, one Esther Ezebuiro of Afara Umuahia reported a case of stealing on behalf of one Barnabas Okonkwo of Okpara Avenue, Umuahia. She said some unknown persons stole cash sums of money in different currencies from the said Barnabas Okonkwo’s House. Based on the report, detectives attached to Central Police Station Umuahia swung into action and arrested one Usman Yuguda, Mohammed Yuguda, Mariam Mohammed and Chigozie Enyinnaya. The investigation resulted in the recovery of one machete, one mask, $1,018, N561,285.00, cfa 20 and two Tecno phones all property of the victim. Investigation is still in progress.

“On June 21, at about 2100hrs, one Chidi Appolos of Ndi-Elu Ugwueke Community in Bende L.G.A of Abia State came to the Station in company with one Ukeje and Justice Godswill with a report that on June 20 at about 2100hours they discovered that the EEDC Transformer installed at Ndi-Elu Ugwueke has been vandalized by unknown thieves. Members of the Community came out and traced the print of the wheel barrow used to convey the Transformer parts to the house of one Elijah Okpara of Ndi-Elu Ugwueke and subsequently recovered the vandalized parts therein. Based on the recovery, Elijah Okpara, Favour Ukala, Chimezie Jude Ucheagwu and James Nwaobodo all of Ndi-Elu Ugwueke were arrested by the operatives attached to Uzuakoli Division. Investigation is on-going.

“On June 22 at about 1715hours, following a report made by one Rita Okorie of Azikiwe Road, Aba, against the duo of Grace Udensi and Henry Godwin of impersonation and stealing. The suspects who impersonated police officers allegedly conspired among themselves to steal ATM Card and GSM phone belonging to the complainant and used same to withdraw cash sum of N248, 000 at GT Bank in Port-Harcourt. The female suspect, Grace Udensi, 42, has been arrested while effort is on to arrest the other suspect.

“On June 22, at about 2125hours, men of the ‘Tactical Response Squad’ attached to Ndiegoro Division in Aba intercepted the duo of Chinedu Daniel and Udo Ogbonna with one cut to size locally made double barrel gun, one life cartridge, a knife and lighter. The suspects could not give a meaningful account of their mission and the items found on them.

“On June 23, at night time, operatives attached to Isiala Ngwa North while on patrol of their area of responsibility, arrested the duo of Onyinyechi Ukamole, 30, and Promise Thompson, 25, both of Ngor Okpala in Imo State at Ntigha Umunkalu Community. The suspects who were riding on an unregistered motorcycle could not give a reasonable account of their mission in the area and a search on the motorcycle, led to the recovery of a sachet containing Tramadol medicine and sum of N97, 000 concealed in the motorcycle. Investigation is on course.

“On June 25, at about 0600hours, the duo of Uche Onyekachi and Emmanuel Nnorom both males were arrested in a follow up investigation, during which one of them was in possession of a locally made gun. The suspects have confessed to snatching a motorcycle in Umuahia. Efforts are being put in place to track down their gang leader and recover the stolen motorcycle.

“On June 25, at about 1300hours, following a series of complaints from occupants of the Police Barracks, Central Police Station in Aba, the Surveillance team attached to the Division arrested one Chidi Onuoha, 44, of no fixed address while coming out from an apartment in the barracks with his loots. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to have been operating in the barracks for about three years now and that he is an ex-convict in drug related offences both in Nigeria and Malaysia. Items recovered from him include: One Plasma TV, one Photo printer, one Charger, one Voter’s card and Sterling Bank ATM card. Investigation is on-going to apprehend the receivers of goods earlier stolen.

“On June 27, at about 2245hours, in response to a distress call from Egwundu Street by Port-Harcourt Road in Aba, that a group of eight men armed with guns and machete robbed him of cash sum of N176, 000 and other valuables, patrol team attached to Central Police Station Aba raced to the scene and arrested a 21-year-old Odinaka Mark of 29 Ikonne Street off Faulks Road in Aba with a machete while others escaped. The suspect has confessed to the crime. Investigation is in progress toward the arrest of the fleeing members of the gang.

“Following the manhunt for the suspected murder of one Solomon Okon by suspected cultists, detectives attached to Ndiegoro Division arrested the following suspects: Stanley Sunday, Emmanuel Achibiri of Aro Cult Group and Nwankwo Kalu, Agwu Aya of Bobos Cult Group, which had a clash on June 22 within Ndiegoro Area that led to the death of the deceased. Effort is in progress toward the arrest of fleeing cult leaders.

“Following a report made by one Kelechi Oriaku that her 16-year-old son Uchenna Oriaku gave her UBA Account details to fraudsters who used same to swindle somebody of the sum of N473, 000 through Guaranty Trust Bank, detectives attached to Osisioma Division swung into action and arrested the duo of Chinedu Akalefu, 25, and Alvan Uzozie, 21, who have confessed their involvements in the offence. Effort is on-going to arrest the third suspect with a view to recovering the money.

“On June 27, at about 2000hrs, one Uyime, an Okada rider residing at Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Akwette, reported that he conveyed two passengers later identified as Adamu Abubakar and one other now at large from Azumiri to Akwette; that along the road, the duo attempted to snatch the motor-cycle from him and as he resisted, they shot at him. Then on June 28, detectives attached to Akwette Division with the help of vigilante group combed the area and arrested one Adamu Abubakar with a cut-to-size locally made pistol and its live cartridge while the other suspect escaped. The injured victim is receiving treatment in the hospital while effort is intensified toward the arrest of the fleeing suspect.”

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