Five notorious armed robbers who murdered Sergeant Joseph Nwaka, attached to the Department of Operations and collected his arms have been arrested.
According to a statement issued by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro Saturday, the Crime Prevention and Control strategies adopted by the Imo State Police Command under him to rid Imo state of activities of the proscribed IPOB/ESN and other criminal elements were yielding positive results.
He said that the arrest of one Onyekachi Madufor, a native of Umuduruekwe, Isu LGA of Imo State on 13th May, 2021 by the Divisional Police Officer Isu LGA, led to the recovery of an AK 47 rifle with breech no 56-258115 with 15 rounds of live ammunition. And on interrogation, the suspect confessed to be a member of IPOB /ESN who conspired with other members of their syndicate to carry out attacks and killings of police personnel and other security operatives. “The atrocity was the murder of one Sgt Joseph Nwaka attached to Department of Operations of the command where his AK 47 RIFLE was collected”, he disclosed.
“As a follow-up, on 14th May, 2021, the Anti – Kidnapping unit and other Tactical teams of the command were deployed to Amanato, Isu LGA for the arrest of other gang members but were heavily engaged to a gun duel by the hoodlums (IPOB /ESN). The operatives successfully repelled and dislodged them. As a result of the encounter, Five (5) suspects were arrested at the scene, while others escaped with a possible gun shot wounds.”
Yaro said in the course of mopping up the scene, Four (4) locally fabricated weapons, Six (6) Live cartridges and large quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered, adding that a discreet investigation was in progress with a view to effecting further arrest after which they would be charged to court for prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police has therefore, commended the operatives of the command for a job well done and enjoined them to sustain the tempo and ensure that lasting security and safety were restored in Imo state and beyond. He further urged the public to support the Police and the state government in their efforts to ensure peace and tranquility in the state.