A combined team of police and vigilante operatives in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Tuesday busted a four-man robbery gang terrorising the community.

The security operatives’ efforts yielded result when they caught the robbers sharing their loot after an operation carried out at Atta road, Nkpor community in Idemili LGA.

It was gathered that the suspects, after their robbery operation at Atta Road, went to share their loot at an uncompleted building in the area before the security operatives swooped on them.

An eyewitness in the area said immediately the robbers saw the security operatives, they fired gunshots at them, which led to a gun battle between both parties.

A robber was shot on his leg during the incident, while the others escaped with bullet wounds.

Confirming the incident, the Ogidi Divisional Police Officer, Ahmed Sani, said two guns, a barretta pistol, and one cut-to-size local gun were recovered from the scene.

Sani said it took the combined efforts of both the police and the vigilante operatives to overpower the robbers.

He said, “The one that was shot on his legs was arrested while the others fled with bullet wounds, and investigation is ongoing towards arresting the runaway suspects. A 24-hour surveillance has been ordered in the area and security has been beefed up. We are on the trail of those fleeing suspects.”

Expressing satisfaction with the arrest of one of the robbers, residents in the area said the suspect was among those terrorising the community daily, and urged the police to continue their surveillance in the area during the forthcoming Yuletide.

A resident, identified as Okey Uzor, said the robbers had continued to give them sleepless nights because the police limited their services within the barracks.

“Our problem is that the police are no longer on patrol because of the activities of unknown gunmen. Robbers now capitalise on it to rob and maim the innocent public at will, without fear of attack,” he added. (The PUNCH)

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