Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have smashed an armed robbery syndicate in Owerri, arresting two suspects.

The officials who were on stop and search operation, also, recovered a Toyota Corolla car suspected to have been stolen in Cross River State.

Spokesperson for the Command, Michael Abattam, in a statement, yesterday, said one of them escaped.

The arrested suspects are Felix Edem Ekanem, 30, of 67, IBB Way, Calabar, Cross River State and Daniel Bassey Edit, 35 of Ididem Ebiono Local Council of Akwa Ibom State.

He said: “On July 20, at about 1200 hours, the Command’s Tactical Teams, while on aggressive stop and search operation along Owerri/Onitsha road, before Federal Road Safety Corps office, Imo State, flagged down a Toyota Corolla car marked: JJJ 767 AT.

“The driver, pretending to stop, veered off the road into the bush, the three occupants swiftly opened the doors, jumped out and took to their heels. But were given a hot chase by police operatives who after a reasonable distance in the bush, were able to arrest two of the suspects namely, Felix Edem Ekanem and Daniel Bassey Edit respectively, while one escaped.

“In the course of interrogation, the suspects revealed that they robbed the car at gunpoint from its owner in Calabar, Cross River State and were heading to Anambra State to sell it.

“They also claimed to be operating in the Calabar metropolis and mentioned the names of other members of their syndicate, including the buyer in Anambra State.

“Investigation is in progress and efforts are on top gear to arrest other members of the syndicate.”

The police spokesperson urged the public to supply the command with credible information on bandits in any part of the state.

He appealed to all and sundry to assist the police and other security agencies with credible information and to report any suspicious activities observed in their community to the nearest police station or call the Command’s emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197. (The Guardian)

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