Imo State: Police arrest three suspected armed robbers

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The Imo State Police Command has apprehended three individuals in connection with armed robbery incidents, including 23-year-old Elijah Chigemezu, who is accused of stealing phones at gunpoint.

Among those arrested were 27-year-old John Chukwudi, a resident of Ntu in Ngor-Okpala LGA, and 32-year-old Chibeze Tasie, who was detained in Naze.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, the arrests were made by officers from the Nekede Divisional Headquarters through an intelligence-led operation and thorough investigation.

ASP Okoye emphasized that the operation, which led to the suspects’ capture, demonstrates the command’s unwavering commitment to reducing crime in the state.

One of the suspects, John Chukwudi, was arrested on August 14, 2024, during an intelligence-led patrol conducted in collaboration with local vigilantes along Human Race Hospital Road, Nekede. Authorities recovered a locally made pistol and five rounds of live cartridges from him. During interrogation, Chukwudi admitted to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity and revealed that the firearm was given to him by a syndicate member, Ugochukwu Ndubuisi, also known as Dimzi Gate, who is currently at large.

Elijah Chigemezu, a native of Ezzamgbo in Ebonyi State, was apprehended on August 11, 2024, along Cluster Road, Naze. He was caught in the act of robbing a young man of his phone and personal belongings at gunpoint. His arrest followed a swift response to a distress call by police operatives, working in collaboration with the military. A locally made gun was recovered from him, and he confessed to the crime during interrogation.

The arrest of Chibeze Tasie at No. 1 Naze was made after a thorough investigation into a motorcycle theft case in Nekede. During questioning, Tasie admitted to conspiring with another suspect, identified as Ndubisi, who is currently at large, to steal motorcycles from unsuspecting riders in the Nekede area.