The Enugu State Police Command has successfully apprehended a criminal syndicate involved in armed robbery and financial fraud, dismantling an operation that spanned multiple states. The joint operation led to the arrest of eight male suspects, including a dismissed soldier, and the recovery of firearms, stolen cash, electronics, and other valuables.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Enugu State, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the operation was a collaborative effort between the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the local Neighbourhood Watch Group. This coordinated approach has been hailed as a major breakthrough in combating organised crime in the region.
The arrested suspects, ranging in age from 22 to 33, were identified as 23-year-old Ismaila Isah, 28-year-old Sadik Ahmed (a dismissed soldier), 33-year-old Abbas Usman, 24-year-old Mubarak Garba, 23-year-old Abubakar Haruna, 32-year-old Abubakar Sani, 22-year-old Obiri Chukwuebuka, and 22-year-old Bright Omeniru.
During the operation, which began in the early hours of November 12, 2024, a locally made pistol, ₦300,450 in cash, and several stolen items were recovered from one of the suspects, Ismaila Isah. Police responded to a distress call about an ongoing robbery at an estate in Emene, Enugu, and managed to apprehend Ismaila, while other gang members fled the scene.
Further investigation, aided by confessions from Ismaila, led police to arrest five more suspects at their hideouts in the New Garriki area of Awkunanaw, Enugu. Another locally made pistol and additional stolen goods were seized during the raid.
In a follow-up operation, the Octopus Tactical Squad arrested two more members of the syndicate, Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru, in Owerri, Imo State. The suspects were found to have used phones stolen during robberies to fraudulently withdraw money from victims’ bank accounts. Police recovered two SIM cards from different networks, which were part of the fraud scheme.
The suspects confessed to participating in multiple armed robberies in the Enugu metropolis and using stolen SIM cards to facilitate fraudulent transactions. They also admitted to transporting and selling stolen items in Imo State and other neighboring regions. Notably, Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, revealed that his military background had helped him bypass police checkpoints while trafficking stolen goods.
Recovered items from the gang included two locally made pistols, one of which contained a live cartridge, ₦300,450 in cash, 10 laptops, 10 mobile phones, jewelry, watches, headphones, power banks, and several personal items like footwear, bags, and land documents.
The Enugu State Police Command has assured the public that the suspects will be thoroughly investigated and subsequently charged to court. Authorities have emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with local community groups and security agencies to address organized crime in the region.
