The Enugu State Police Command said it has dismantled an interstate criminal syndicate specialising in armed robbery and fraud.
This was made known in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday.
According to Ndukwe, the joint operation involving the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the Neighbourhood Watch Group, led to the arrest of a dismissed soldier and seven other male suspects.
The statement read, “The Enugu State Police Command has successfully dismantled an interstate criminal syndicate that specialised in armed robbery and financial fraud.
“This was achieved through coordinated operations involving the Emene Division, Crack, and Octopus Tactical Squads, alongside the Neighbourhood Watch Group, which led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, cash, and other stolen items.
“The arrested suspects include Ismaila Isah (aged 23), Sadik Ahmed (a dismissed soldier, aged 28), Abbas Usman (aged 33), Mubarak Garba (aged 24), Abubakar Haruna (aged 23), Abubakar Sani (aged 32), Obiri Chukwuebuka (aged 22), and Bright Omeniru (aged 22).:
According to the statement, the police also recovered two locally made pistols, one with a live cartridge and another with an expended cartridge, as well as ₦300,450 in cash.
Additional items seized included 10 laptops, land documents, 10 mobile phones, jewellery, watches, an MP3 player, headphones, four power banks, two SIM cards, footwear, and bags.
The statement added, “The operation commenced on November 12, 2024, around 3:30 a.m., when operatives from the Emene Division, supported by Neighbourhood Watch members, responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery at an estate in Emene. During the operation, Ismaila Isah was apprehended with one locally made pistol, the said ₦300,450.00, and some stolen items, while others escaped.
“Ismaila was later transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad for further investigation. His confessional statements and subsequent discreet investigations led to the arrest of Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu. Another locally made pistol and additional stolen items were recovered.
“Furthermore, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Squad utilised an intelligence report and arrested Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru in Owerri, Imo State. During interrogation, they admitted to using phones stolen by the syndicate to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ bank accounts. Two SIM cards from different networks were also recovered.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and exploited victims’ SIM cards to commit fraud.
“The suspects also confessed to transporting and selling stolen goods in Imo and other states. Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, admitted to using his security background to bypass police checkpoints while trafficking stolen items across the state.”
The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
