Ibe Pascal, Owerri
Operatives of Imo State Police Command have stormed a criminal hideout in the state and arrested two suspected armed robbers, while others fled.
Spokesperson for the state’s Command, Michael Abattam, in a statement, yesterday, said the suspects were arrested in Avu, Owerri West Local Council of the state, while a language translator and arms were recovered from them.
They are Yahaya Samaila, 23, Saminu Abubakar, 24, and are from Kware Local Council of Sokoto State. Abattam said the raid was sequel to the directive of the Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed Barde, to raid all the criminal enclaves, including uncompleted buildings, motor parks, brothels, Indian hemp joints and abandoned school buildings.
He said: “Aligning with the Commissioner of Police’s directive, the Command’s tactical team, raided a criminal hideout at Avu in Owerri West Local Council of Imo State and arrested one Yahaya Samaila and Saminu Abubakar both of Kware Local Council of Sokoto State, while others escaped.
“On searching their hideout, the following items were recovered, one locally made double barrel pistol; a bunch of master keys; a parcel of substance suspected to be Indian hemp; a female bag containing jewelries; one machete; a language translator; three Tecno phones, two Itel phones; one H-Mobile phone, two wrist watches, two small speakers, two sunglasses and two torch lights.
“Others are camera flash; the sum of N40,285.00; assorted charms, two pairs of scissors; 10 nose masks and a foil paper.”
Abattam said, on investigation, it was uncovered that the group had been terrorising the area, saying: “In the course of interrogation, it was revealed that they have been the ones terrorising innocent residents within Ama – Hausa Extension area at Avu in Owerri West Local Council of Imo State.
“They both made useful statements confessing to using recovered bunch of master keys in stealing vehicles and also to unlock people’s shops and steal their wares, mostly at nights.”
He maintained that investigation was ongoing to unravel other illicit activities perpetrated by the suspects. Abattam thanked Imolites and enjoined them to continue assisting security agencies with credible information and to report any criminal activities or elements seen within their neighbourhood to the nearest police station or call the Command’s emergency control numbers; 08034773600 or 08098880197.”
