OPERATIVES of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Friday dislodged an armed robbery syndicate terrorising residents and motorists on the roads in the state.
SP Haruna Mohammed, PPRO Anambra State Police Command, who disclosed this in a statement revealed that the operatives fatally injured one of the gang member during a gun duel and recovered two firearms, ammunition, three assorted handsets snatched from the victims and other incriminating items
“On the 9/10/2020 at about 9pm, there was a distress call that suspected armed robbers blocked Isiagu Ring road in Awka South LGA, robbing three occupants of a black Accura Legend Car with Lagos registration number SMK878GL of their valuables at gun point.
“Following the distress call, Police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) CPS Awka and local vigilante quickly responded and rushed to the scene. As soon as the suspected armed robbers sighted the police they engaged them into a fierce gun battle forcing the hoodlums to jettison the robbery operation and scamper into the bush for safety.
However, during the gun duel, one of the gang member whose identity is yet unknown was fatally wounded and one fabricated gun,three cartridges,one torch light,three assorted handsets and cash sum of money allegedly snatched from the victims were recovered in his possession.The injured Suspect was rushed to the hospital for treatment but certified dead on arrival by a medical doctor and his corpse deposited in the mortuary.
“Meanwhile, the bush was cordoned off by the Police leading to the recovery of another fabricated pistol with four rounds of .9mm life ammunition. Effort is being intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects believed to have sustained gunshots during the encounter”, the PPRO stated.
He added that while the Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang is reassuring the residents of safety from criminal activities in the state, he has urged the people to report any person with bullet injuries to any nearest Police station as the search for the escaped suspects is going on.
“In view of the foregoing,the Command while assuring ‘Ndi Anambra’ of their safety during and after this ember period urged them to report at the nearest police station any person with bullet injuries to enable the Command ascertain the circumstances surrounding the injury”, he added.