Police kill two gunmen, rescue two armed robbery suspects from mob action

Operatives of Anambra State Police Command have killed two suspected members of an armed gang terrorising the state during a gun duel along Obosi Nkpor road by Obosi town hall.

The Command’s spokesperson, Ikenga Tochukwu, who stated this in a statement yesterday, said the superior firepower of the operatives made the hoodlums flee the scene with a Toyota Hiace bus and a motorcycle. 

Ikenga said items recovered from the assailants include: one pump action, one locally fabricated pistol and a red Toyota Corolla marked: AKD 303 DW.

He said: “Anambra State Police operatives while on patrol along Obosi Nkpor road by Obosi town hall at about 11:39p.m.on 26/6/2022, accosted a gang of armed men in a white Toyota Hiace bus, red Toyota Corolla car and a motorcycle. 

“The Operatives engaged the armed men in a gun battle, neutralized two of the hoodlums and recovered one pump action, one locally fabricated pistol and a red Toyota Corolla marked: AKD 303 DW.  

“During a gun duel with the hoodlums, the superior firepower of the Operatives made the assailants flee the scene with the Toyota Hiace bus and a motorcycle.”

He said the police have intensified patrol in the area and improved operational activities to respond to distress calls, especially aimed at arresting other fleeing gang members.

In another development, Ikenga disclosed that the police, while on patrol along Central School Road, Umusiomen Nkpor, Ogidi recovered a white Mercedes Benz 350 marked: RSH 836 BE suspected to have been abandoned by criminal elements.

Ikenga, in a statement, said the operatives at about 11:00 p.m. on June 26, while on patrol along Central School Road, Umusiomen Nkpor, Ogidi recovered a white Mercedes Benz 350 marked: RSH 836 BE, suspected to have been abandoned by criminal elements.

“Also, Police operatives at about 4:30 p.m. on June 28, rescued two suspects, namely: Okoye Stephen, 19 and Chukwuemeka Nwudo, 27, from mob action along Zik’s Avenue Awka.

“The suspects were caught armed with a locally made pistol, in an attempt to dispossess a young lady of her cash, after withdrawing money from Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

“The suspects were already beaten to a pulp by the angry mob before the police rescued them. 

“Police operatives also recovered one locally-made pistol and one live cartridge from the criminals,” he added.

MEANWHILE, the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, while charging the Operatives to sustain the tempo of the fight against violent crimes in the state, reiterated the advocacy against mob action and jungle justice. 

He encouraged the public to take suspects to police stations whenever they are apprehended, adding that it will help the police conduct proper investigations into suspects’ activities and bring them to justice in accordance with extant laws.