Police arrest 5 suspected armed robbers, recover stolen vehicle

Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have arrested five suspected armed robbers and recovered a stolen Lexus RX 350 vehicle allegedly snatched at gunpoint in Owerri, Imo State. The suspects were arrested during separate operations carried out by tactical teams of the command in Gboko and Otukpo Local Government Areas of the state. Police […]

Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have arrested five suspected armed robbers and recovered a stolen Lexus RX 350 vehicle allegedly snatched at gunpoint in Owerri, Imo State.

The suspects were arrested during separate operations carried out by tactical teams of the command in Gboko and Otukpo Local Government Areas of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi.

Edet stated that the five suspects were arrested on May 21 during a tactical operation in Gboko following credible intelligence on the activities of armed robbers and kidnappers in the area.

She said the suspects engaged operatives in a gun duel before they were subdued by the superior firepower of the tactical team.

She listed items recovered from the suspects to include two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, two pistols and live ammunition.

The PPRO further disclosed that in another operation on May 22, operatives attached to Otukpo Division intercepted and recovered a Lexus RX 350 reportedly stolen at gunpoint in Owerri, Imo State.

Edet said that the vehicle was intercepted within the Otukpo axis following intelligence that it was being moved through Benue State.

She said that one suspect was arrested in connection with the stolen vehicle and is currently assisting investigators.

The police spokesperson also disclosed that suspects linked to separate armed robbery and attempted culpable homicide cases in Ushongo Local Government Area were arrested after intensive intelligence gathering.

Edet added that the police operatives further recovered a motorcycle allegedly stolen during one of the robbery operations.

State Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, commended officers involved in the operations and reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against violent crimes across the state.