The Enugu State Police Command has successfully dismantled a notorious interstate criminal gang involved in armed robbery and financial fraud. This milestone was achieved through a series of coordinated operations carried out by the Emene Division in collaboration with the Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, as well as the Neighbourhood Watch Group. The operations led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the seizure of illegal firearms, cash, and various stolen items.
In a statement made available to Chronicles Reporter on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ndukwe, outlined the details of the operation. The arrested suspects include Ismaila Isah (23), Sadik Ahmed (28, a former soldier), Abbas Usman (33), Mubarak Garba (24), Abubakar Haruna (23), Abubakar Sani (32), Obiri Chukwuebuka (22), and Bright Omeniru (22).
During the operation, law enforcement officers recovered significant evidence, including two locally fabricated pistols—one loaded and the other expended—cash amounting to N300,450, ten laptops, land documents, ten mobile phones, assorted jewelry, an MP3 player, headphones, four power banks, two SIM cards, and a variety of footwear and bags.
The police operation commenced in the early hours of November 12, 2024, at approximately 3:30 a.m., following a distress call reporting an armed robbery at an estate in Emene. During the initial phase of the operation, Ismaila Isah was apprehended with a pistol, cash, and other stolen items, although some of his accomplices managed to flee. He was later handed over to the Crack Tactical Squad for further investigation.
Isah’s confessions provided crucial leads that facilitated the arrest of other gang members, including Sadik Ahmed and Abbas Usman, at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu. Additional stolen goods and a second pistol were confiscated during these arrests.
In a related development, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Squad, acting on intelligence, apprehended Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru in Owerri, Imo State. During interrogations, they admitted to using stolen mobile phones to gain unauthorized access to victims’ bank accounts and withdraw funds. Two SIM cards linked to fraudulent activities were also recovered.
The suspects confessed to being involved in multiple armed robberies across Enugu and selling stolen items in Imo and neighboring states. Notably, Sadik Ahmed disclosed how he used his military training to bypass security checks while transporting stolen goods.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, commended the operatives for their dedication and urged them to sustain their efforts, particularly with the festive season drawing near. The suspects are set to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
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