By Deborah Nnamdi
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers linked to a proscribed secessionist group following a two-hour gun battle at Enugwu-Agidi Junction in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the arrest occurred in the early hours of Wednesday after operatives engaged a five-man robbery gang in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
According to Ikenga, the operation was carried out by officers of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, acting on credible and actionable intelligence. He said the operatives laid an ambush for the suspects, who were believed to be armed robbers and cultists with links to a proscribed secessionist group.
He explained that upon sighting the police team, the suspects opened fire, leading to a gun duel that lasted about two hours. Two of the suspects sustained fatal gunshot injuries during the encounter, while three others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the scene included one T.06 rifle, two pump-action guns, 24 rounds of T.06 ammunition, 15 live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, a cult red beret, and a black Toyota Highlander vehicle.
Ikenga further revealed that one of the suspects, while in severe pain, confessed that the gang was involved in an earlier but unsuccessful attack on the convoy of a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige. The suspect also admitted that the group was part of a striking squad of the Vikings Confraternity allegedly on a retaliatory mission following the killing of one of their members by a rival cult group.
He said the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism, and directed them to intensify efforts to track down and arrest the remaining gang members who fled the scene.
The police command also advised hospitals and medical facilities across the state to admit persons with gunshot wounds or related injuries, but urged them to promptly report such cases to the nearest police station.
Ikenga added that further developments would be communicated as investigations continue.
