Anambra State Police Command on Thursday at the state command paraded 28 persons suspected to be armed robbers, cultists and kidnappers as well as an army deserter, Ebeje Nnamdi who allegedly was training a gang of armed robbers in Anambra State.

Also paraded were 22 other suspects between the ages of 17 and 25 years, who were arrested by the Special Anti-Cultism (SPAC) during cult initiation at Nnewi.

Speaking during the parade, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Umar said that Nnamdi, who was allegedly deserted from 20 Mechanised Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Taraba State in 2014, went into the training of armed robbers.

The CP noted that a gang of armed robbers using two motorcycles and led by one Kenneth Chimezie, aged 42 years, was arrested by the Police, adding that following a painstaking investigation and intelligence reports, Chimezie led the police to the trainer’s hideout where he was apprehended.

According to Umar, two other suspects, Peter Onyebuchi (26) and Ugwuoke Nnaemeka (26), belonged to a six-man gang of armed robbers responsible for the attacks and killings of policemen at checking points, robberies at fuel stations, including the recent one at Bukachi filling station at Eziowelle in Idemili North Local Government Area, and other violent crimes.

He said that items recovered from the suspects included 336 rounds of 7.62x39mm AK47 live ammunition, three empty AK47 rifle magazines, one locally made double-barrel pistol with two live cartridges, headgear, mini flag and muffler belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as well as criminal charms and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

Umar further said that the suspects confessed to the crime, adding that they were however still aiding the Police in their investigations.

He added that efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects and possible recovery of their arms had been intensified.

The CP also said that two other suspects, Sunday Chigbo (20) and Onyebuchi Enweani (24), who were arrested at midnight on Wednesday at Uru village, Ogidi following a distress call by a citizen of the community, were found with a locally-made double-barrel gun concealed in a big bag containing household equipment and wearing apparels.

Other suspects, according to Umar, were Chukwudi Nwabundo, Obiora Madubueze and Chinasa who were arrested for allegedly kidnapping one John Ifeidora in the house of Peter Chukwuemeka at Aguleri.

He added that following a tip off, the Police stormed the Iyi Oji shrine where the victim was being tortured and rescued him.

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