The Enugu State Police Command has apprehended a dismissed soldier and seven other individuals accused of engaging in inter-state criminal activities, including armed robbery and financial fraud.
According to the police, the suspects were caught with stolen items, firearms, and cash during coordinated operations carried out by the Emene Division, the Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the Neighbourhood Watch group.
In a statement, Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, confirmed that the collaborative effort led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the recovery of various items, including firearms, ammunition, and cash.
Ndukwe identified the suspects as Ismaila Isah, 23; Sadik Ahmed, a dismissed soldier, 28; Abbas Usman, 33; Mubarak Garba, 24; Abubakar Haruna, 23; Abubakar Sani, 32; Obiri Chukwuebuka, 22; and Bright Omeniru, 22.
Recovered items include two locally made pistols, one of which was loaded with a live cartridge, ₦300,450 in cash, 10 laptops, land documents, 10 mobile phones, assorted jewelry and watches, an MP3 player, a headphone, four power banks, two SIM cards, footwear, and bags.
Ndukwe explained that the arrests followed a distress call received on November 12, 2024, at around 3:30 a.m., reporting an armed robbery at an estate in Emene. “Operatives from the Emene Division, supported by Neighbourhood Watch members, responded swiftly, leading to the arrest of Ismaila Isah at the scene,” Ndukwe stated.
He added that Ismaila was found in possession of a locally made pistol, cash, and stolen items, while others managed to flee. Ismaila’s confession and further investigations conducted by the Crack Tactical Squad resulted in the arrest of five more suspects—Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani—at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu. Another pistol and additional stolen items were recovered during the operation.
Acting on intelligence, officers from the Octopus Tactical Squad arrested the remaining two suspects, Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru, in Owerri, Imo State.
Ndukwe revealed that during interrogation, the suspects admitted to using stolen mobile phones to withdraw funds fraudulently from victims’ bank accounts. Two SIM cards were among the recovered items.
“Investigations show the suspects carried out multiple armed robberies in the Enugu metropolis and used stolen SIM cards for fraudulent activities. They also confessed to transporting and selling stolen goods in Imo and other states,” Ndukwe stated.