Two r0bbery suspects arrested in Imo
Two robbery suspects arrested in Imo
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command on Wednesday arrested two armed robbers in Aladinma, in the Owerri North Local Government Area, after they allegedly robbed a man of his gold chain at gunpoint.
This is even as they recovered a pistol and seven rounds of live ammunition following a swift response to a distress call in Owerri.
The two male suspects, Solomon Ejekwe, currently 29 years old from Ubaha Orodo in the Mbaitoli Local Government area, and Emeka Charles, 35 years old who hails from Umuopara Ngugo in the Ikeduru LGA, were alleged to have robbed their victim while he was at a car wash in Aladinma.
Police spokesperson for Imo State Command, Henry Okoye, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects had disposed of the victim of his gold chain and fled on their motorbike.
However, the victim gave them a hot chase and knocked them down, after which they were overpowered by an angry mob.
Okoye said, “The arrest followed a distress call from members of the public reporting an armed robbery incident at Aladinma, Owerri. Acting promptly on the information, police operatives mobilised to the scene and successfully apprehended the suspects.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was washing his car at a car wash located at Mangrove, Aladinma, when the suspects approached him, robbed him of his gold chain at gunpoint, and fled the scene on a motorcycle.
“The victim, however, pursued the suspects in his vehicle and succeeded in knocking them down. They were subsequently overpowered and beaten by an angry mob before police operatives arrived at the scene and took them into custody”.
Okoye disclosed that the suspects were rushed to the police hospital in Owerri, where they were treated following the injuries they sustained.
He said, “The suspects have been rushed to the police medical centre for medical attention and will be arraigned in court with the appropriate criminal charges at the earliest possible time”.
The state Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, has commended the prompt response of operatives and cooperation of members of the public, and warned residents against mob action and jungle justice, and appealed to the public to always allow the law to take its course.
