Hyacinth Chinweuba
Police detectives have arrested seven armed robbers including a serving and a dismissed soldier for alleged robbery of a bullion van in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, capital.
Oriental News Nigeria gathered that the bullion van was coming from Enugu State when it was attacked in Abakaliki on July 29, 2020, while the suspects were nabbed a few days later in Delta State.
The robbery incident led to the death of four police officers, leaving others injured. Meanwhile, a situation report sighted by Oriental News Nigeria, disclosed that “during a serious manhunt by IRT Detectives with technical Intelligence Support from TIU arrested one Alfred Robinson, 45 years of age, a native of Gelegele Town in Ovia North LGA of Edo State on 1/8/2020 in Asaba, Delta State.
During intensive follow up, six more gang members were arrested by IRT Detectives within 24hrs.
They include: Sgt Ayeni Samuel, a Nigerian Soldier serving in Ikeja, Lagos; Cpl Emeka Harrison a dismissed Soldier who had served in Maiduguri Borno State; Emeka Illo, the Sponsor of the operation; and Abuchi Elijah Aka “ Chime D Mosquito” an Informant for the robbers and Ibanifiroi Ekiene a native of Tombia Community.
Firearms recovered from the criminals include 12 undetonated improvised explosives, one GPMG, six rifles, 51 AK-47 magazines, 1,620 ammunition, 2 robbed vehicles, breaking implements and charms.
All suspects, upon interrogation, confessed to the Bullion Van Robbery in Ebonyi State. The suspects also confessed that 4 out of the rifles recovered belong to the Policemen they killed during the robbery.
Oriental News Nigeria gathered that the suspects are assisting police to arrest their remaining gang members.