The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber who had been on the police wanted list, while also recovering a stolen Toyota Hiace bus, a motorcycle, hard drugs, phones and other exhibits during separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, explaining that the successful operations were carried out by operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit. According to him, the police acted on credible intelligence and intensified patrol operations targeted at criminal hideouts within Enugu metropolis and surrounding areas.
Ndukwe revealed that during a crime prevention patrol around the Nkwubor axis of Emene on May 6, operatives stormed a suspected criminal location after receiving intelligence reports. He explained that a suspected drug dealer popularly known as “Doc” immediately fled after sighting the police team, abandoning his shop alongside a red Mate 90 ladies’ motorcycle believed to be connected to illegal activities.
In another operation carried out on April 30 along Amagu-Ugwu Road in Amechi Awkunanaw, police operatives arrested a 34-year-old commercial minibus driver who had allegedly been declared wanted over an armed robbery case. According to the police spokesman, the suspect later confessed during interrogation and subsequently led investigators to a mechanic workshop where a stolen white Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Morning Flight Nigeria Limited was recovered while it was allegedly being dismantled by suspected criminals.
The recovered vehicle reportedly carried Registration Number NSK 643 ZY and was already undergoing vandalisation before police intervention stopped the process.
Ndukwe further disclosed that investigations into the incidents were ongoing, adding that security operatives had intensified efforts to track down fleeing suspects and other accomplices connected to the crimes. He also confirmed that the arrested suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, praised the operatives for the successful arrests and recoveries, stressing that the command remained committed to proactive policing and continuous operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements from the state. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with useful and timely information that could help in fighting crime.
