Imo: Police arrest notorious armed robbery suspect inside market, recover arms

Operatives of Owerri Urban Divisional Headquarters of the Imo State Police Command through credible intelligence and painstaking investigative efforts, have arrested a notorious armed robbery suspect, Izea John Chukwuebuka ‘m’, 23yrs of Asa community in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area (LGA).

According to the command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, the suspect who was arrested in a well-coordinated operation with the local vigilantes on Tuesday April 9, 2024, confessed to having robbed unsuspecting members of the public at Alaba International market, Douglas market, Tetlow, and other business areas in the state. 

“He admitted that he has a syndicate in Ama Hausa Market, that receives stolen items from him in exchange for monetary gains.

“Efforts are underway to apprehend his syndicate at large, particularly the receivers of stolen items, sellers, and manufacturers of locally made guns. The suspect will be transferred to the State Headquarters for consolidation of the ongoing investigation and will certainly face prosecution upon completion of a thorough investigation,” he informed.

Items recovered from the crime scene are one locally made pistol and two rounds of ammunition.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has reassured business owners and other residents in Imo state that the Command would continue to redouble its efforts in providing a safe and secure environment for socio-economic activities to thrive in the state.

He affirmed that the Command was unrelenting in its commitment to clamp down on unrepentant criminal syndicates in the state.