By: Felix Ikpotor
The Rivers State Police Command has foiled a robbery attack by heavily armed suspected hoodlums around the Psychiatric Road, Rumuigbo in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state.
Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo said this while parading the suspects at the Special Anti-Robbery command in Rukpokwu today.
Kimo said the hoodlums were nabbed following a counter-attack by the SARS men from Rukpokwu who acted in response to a distress call from a citizen.
The Rivers Police boss also said the Inspector General of Police has been informed of the several successes recorded so far by the police in the state.
According to Kimo: “On 18/04/2016 at about 10:30 am, following an information that a Toyota Venza snatched at gun point three days ago was sighted along Psychiatric road, Port Harcourt, a team of policemen were quickly mobilized, trailed and engaged the vehicle’s occupants in a gun duel.
“One of the hoodlums was fatally wounded while one AK 47 rifle, six magazines, 270 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition and thirteen pieces of objects suspected to be dynamite were recovered. Five different brands of vehicles were also recovered. They are, Lexus Jeep RX 300 ash colour No. Rivers KRK 957 BX; Toyota Highlander ash colour No. Rivers AHD 159 SJ; Toyota Venza green colour No. Rivers NCH 262 ST; Toyota Lexus RX 300 grey colour No. Lagos LSR 957 DU and Toyota Corolla ash colour No. Abuja ABC 433 VH.
“The hoodlums’ outing appeared to be an orchestrated but failed plan to carry out a bank robbery. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting the fleeing hoodlums.”
He maintained that, “on 17/04/2016 on a tip off form a patriotic citizen, a team of policemen raided criminals hideout at Umoda Aluu and arrested one Chima Nnorum. Items recovered from the hideout include two AK 47 rifles, four magazines, 31 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition and a Lexus jeep 300, No. Abuja SARS ABU 295 DW.”
Meanwhile, one of the suspects Chima Norom has confessed that he was armed by a political party in Rivers state.
He made the revelation during cross examination by journalists.
“We were arrested when we went for a child dedication at Aluu. Then SARS people came to search our car and saw guns. I don’t know who gave them information but I know it is APC because we are working for PDP. The CSO of Ikwerre Local government employed us,” he said.
However, efforts to speak with officials of the LGA yielded no result at the time of filling this report.
