Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Ebonyi State Police Command have intercepted 753 live ammunition of General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) concealed in a sac transported in a commercial vehicle from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State to Umuahia in Abia State.
A statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, says the intelligence-driven covert operation, which led to the interception and recovery of the deadly ammunition, is part of efforts by the Police to identify and crack down on criminal networks and supply chains for weapons and ammunition in and around the country. “Comprehensive investigations aimed at bringing to book all persons linked to the crime are ongoing.” Mba noted.
According to the statement, following investigations into the recent foiled bank robbery attempt on the Onueke branch of a commercial bank in Ebonyi State, Police operatives led by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, on 29th April, 2021, raided the criminal hideout of suspects indicted in the investigations located at Oriuzo village in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“The suspects, on sighting the Police squad, opened fire on them, the Police team engaged them gallantly and professionally. At the end, three members of the gang including two male and one female met their waterloo following bullet injuries sustained during the exchange of gunfire. Other suspects fled in different directions.” The statement read.
According to the statement, two Ak47 riffles, five pump action guns, six pistols, fifty Ak47 ammunition, 126 cartridges, Jack knives, cutlasses, and a 40-page notebook containing inventories of ammunition purchased by the gang were recovered. A Honda Pilot Jeep with Reg No. ABJ 163 NV used for the foiled bank robbery was also recovered by the Police Team.
“Unrelenting in their quest to apprehend the remaining suspects, the Police team traced the suspects to a shrine where the robbers usually go for mystical powers before embarking on their robbery operations. Two of the suspects were eventually arrested from the supposedly safe haven – the shrine, which led to the arrest of additional three members of the gang. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and their spiritual godfather – the chief priest of the shrine.” The release added.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, while commending the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Aliyu Garba, and officers of the command, for harnessing intelligence to forestall the crimes, assured Nigerians of the renewed commitment of the Force to improving public safety and combat all forms of violent crimes across the land.
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