By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Police operatives attached to Anambra Command special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) have arrested two armed robbery suspects at Upper Iweka in the commercial hub, Onitsha.

The suspects, Kosisochukwu Onyemerem, 20-year-old, and Emeka Kalu, aged 19, were allegedly caught on the spot while robbing passersby of their belongings.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, said that the suspects on sighting the police operatives engaged them in a shootout and took to their heels when overpowered.

He said that the pursuit of suspects with the assistance of local vigilante group in the area led to their arrest.

The PPRO said: “On the 21/5/2020 at about 6:30pm following intelligence report, Police operatives attached to the Command special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in collaboration with the local vigilante group arrested at Upper Iweka in Onitsha, Anambra State one Kosisochukwu Onyemerem ‘m’ aged 20 years and Emeka Kalu ‘m’ aged 19 years respectively.

“Suspects were caught red handed while robbing innocent passersby of their belongings at Upper Iweka. On sighting the police operatives, suspects engaged them in a shootout and took to their heels when overpowered but they were pursued and arrested with the assistance of the local vigilante group in the area.

“Exhibits recovered in their possessions includes two locally made revolver pistols, five .9mm live ammunition, three assorted phones allegedly snatched from the victims of the robbery operation, one driver’s licence bearing the name Fidelis Offor, and cash sum of One hundred and twenty three thousand naira (N123,000) of different denomination.”

Mohammed added that case is under investigation after which suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police CP John B. Abang, has reassured Anambra people that the Command under his watch will continue to make Anambra State unbearable to the criminal elements until they repent or relocate from the state.

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