Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in Anambra State Police Command on Wednesday, August 27, arrested five suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnap syndicate.
Among the arrested suspects was a soldier who confessed to have deserted the Nigerian Army with an intent not to return to military duties.
The suspects were identified as Michael Nwobodo, 30 years old; Eze Friday, aged 29; Uche Okolo, 23; Chinedu Gilbert, 29; and Dominic Oraz, aged 38 (the soldier deserter).
The Command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the suspects’ hideout at Notoko, Awka, following a report that a victim was abducted on his farmland at Isiagu, Awka, and later released after ransom was paid.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include six automatic pump-action guns, 63 rounds of live cartridges, one microscope, five machetes, one military cap and two police teargas canisters.
Others are handcuffs, a rocket launcher, criminal charms, three Motorola walkie-talkies, a jack knife, a power bank and cash sum of ₦26,000.
The PPRO disclosed that during interrogation, one of the suspects, Oraz, confessed to have deserted the Nigerian Army in November 2024.
He stated further that necessary enquiries had commenced with the Army authority to guide police action and prosecution of other suspects.
Commending the operatives for their gallantry, the Commissioner of Police, Dr Ikioye Orutugu, urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant.
The police boss also enjoined them to continue to report suspicious activities to the police for prompt action.
He assured Ndi Anambra of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes.
