Impersonation: Robbers in Police uniforms landed in custody

During an attempt to rob passengers of a commercial bus along Ninth Mile/Nsukka Expressway, four members of an armed robbers gang, have been arrested.

The armed robbers, Kenneth Eze, Ojobo Ude, Emeka Eze and Sunday Ugwu were all arrested on Christmas Eve while attempting to make quick cash.

It was gathered that the armed robbers were dressed in fake police uniforms, as they mounted a roadblock on the expressway, where they stopped two commercial buses. The buses, which were conveying other passengers traveling from Lagos, were diverted into the bush.

According to report, they were dispossessing the passengers of their valuables when operatives of the Ninth Mile Police Division of the Enugu State Police Command, who got wind of the development, confronted them. A gun duel ensued between the armed robbers and the police. Four of the hoodlums were eventually arrested after the gun battle while two others escaped.

Confirming the incident, spokesman for the Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, said the armed robbers sustained severe injuries during the encounter with the police.

“The suspects diverted two commuter buses believed to be coming from Lagos and heading to Otukpo in Benue State into a bush and were robbing their victims when operatives swooped on them.

“Four members of the gang were arrested after a gun duel with the operatives, but two others believed also to have been injured in the gun battle escaped with injuries.

“The arrested, injured armed robbery suspects, who gave their names as Kenneth Eze, Ojobo Ude, Emeka Eze and Sunday Ugwu, all claimed that they hail from Obollo Afor in the Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State,” Amaraizu added.

The police spokesman stressed that three locally-made guns were recovered from the suspects, as well as nine mobile telephone sets believed to have been stolen from their owners.

Amaraizu further disclosed that the police had intensified efforts to apprehend two other members of the gang, who escaped during the gun battle.

He, however, urged members of the public to assist the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the hoodlums.

“Members of the public, particularly hospital operators, are to watch out for anyone with gunshot wounds and report promptly to any nearby police station for prompt action,” Amaraizu said.