By Ndu Chris Nwannah, Guest Writer, Awka Times Magazine
The Anambra State Police Command has paraded a suspected car snatching syndicate which has been terrorizing the area in the recent past.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr John Abang, who paraded the suspects at the Command Headquarters in Awka said one of them was certified dead in a hospital following a gun battle with men of State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at Awada-Obosi.
He said the suspected robbers had in January this year robbed one Collette Nwadike of her Toyota Venza car at Ngodo village Nise in Awka South LGA.
“It would be recalled that on the January 8, 2020, at about 2pm, suspected armed robbers numbering about six with AK 47 rifles and other dangerous weapons waylaid and snatched at gunpoint a Toyota Venza with customized registration number ‘KOCO’, valued ₦6m from one female, Nwadike Collette Kosisochukwu, at Ndogo village Nise.”
The Commissioner said that the hoodlums engaged the police in a gun duel while the officers were trying to recover the stolen vehicle. Two of the robbers were injured in the shoot-out. According to him, one of them was receiving treatment at a hospital, while another was confirmed dead.
“Following the distress call, Police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad SARS swung into action and trailed the suspects at their hideouts along Eze Iweka by high tension Awada. However on sighting the Police, the hoodlums resisted arrest and engaged the police in a fierce gun battle after which two suspects were fatally wounded,” the CP said.
The suspects were rushed to the hospital for treatment but one of them whose identity is yet unknown was confirmed dead on arrival while the second suspect, identified as Micheal Ogbonna, a 45-year-old male from Achina town in Aguata LGA of Anambra State who also sustained gunshot injuries on his leg, is receiving treatment.
The police commissioner also disclosed that exhibits, including a pistol and the Toyota Venza Car which were recovered from the hoodlums.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one Barreta Pistol with four live ammunition, and one Anti car tracking device.
“Consequently, further investigation through actionable intelligence also led to the recovery of the Toyota Venza snatched from the victim, according to the CP.
Mr Abang further announced the arrest of a suspect with gunshot injuries at Umuoji as well as another one in Asaba, Delta State.
Meanwhile, in another development the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) equally arrested with gunshot injuries one Obinna Nwabunike, a man from Abigi village Umuoji. Exhibits recovered from the suspect included one Taurius Beretta pistol with breech number TM 856888 loaded with ten rounds of G2C .9mm live ammunition.
Furthermore on the January 12, 2020, the Command SARS Operatives also arrested in Asaba, Delta State, one Paul Chukwuezugo, 40-year-old male. Exhibits recovered from this suspect included one Mercedes 350 without registration number and one Lexus Jeep which was allegedly snatched from the owner after he was killed in the process of snatching the vehicle.
Mr Abang attributed the success recorded by the command to the support of citizens and efficient community policing project.
“One major factor responsible for the overall successes recorded by the Command was the support of the good people of Ndi Anambra who have been extremely law abiding and very cooperative with the personnel of the security agencies .I urged the people of the State to sustain this level of cooperation with the Police at all times. We are indeed in an era where Community Policing remains the vogue and the people we are serving continue to demand for excellent service, CP Abang implored.
“Finally, I also encouraged the good people of Anambra State to be security conscious at all times, and to report any strange observation or suspicious movements to the security agencies for prompt response, please,” the police commissioner advised.
