A-Ibom police arrest most wanted robbery suspect

Posted by admin Akwa Ibom, Headlines, Nigerian Police, State News Thursday, May 12th, 2011

UYO-THE police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested one of the most wanted criminals in the South-East and South-West.

The suspect’s name was given as Emmanuel Nnamdi Joseph Ebulu, aka Stone.

Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of zone 6, Mohammed Abubakar, stated this while parading the suspect alongside three others, Chidi Udochi, 30; Chukwunna Anueze, 48, and Igwe Okechukwu Gift, 25, yesterday, at the force headquarters, Abuja.

According to him, Ebulu who functioned as the second-in-command to another notorious gang leader in Aba, Abia State, popularly called Osisikankwu, was arrested in connection with an armed robbery attack at Ikot Osudu village in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.

He explained that the gang of heavily-armed robbers shot sporadically at motorists and passers-by and disposed people of their money and other valuables.

They were said to have also snatched a Toyota Hilux truck with number-plate AE 675 KTS belonging to Ibom Power Company Ltd.

Three persons, all males, were also killed during the operation namely, Archibong Akpan Udoette, 45; and Bassey Okon Ekpenyong, 45; and Emmanuel James Akpan; the AIG disclosed.

Investigation into the robbery which took place on April 4, 2011, Abubakar said led the police to Fason Guest House, Rumukurushi, Port Harcourt , with the aid of a tracking device on the stolen vehicle.

Ebulu, who was arrested with some members of his gang at the hotel, he said presided over an expensive criminal empire made up of over 50 members operating with sophisticated weaponry and had made useful confessions.

The suspect, Abubakar said, confessed to armed robbery at Union, First, and Zenith banks at Osisioma in 2010, during which they carted away N 30 million; First Bank Abak, and Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, and carted away N10 million but in the latter lost two gang members in January 2010.

He also confessed to have masterminded a foiled robbery at First Bank, Ikot Abasi in December, 2009 where the gang lost nine members; First Bank Ikot Ekpene and Fidelity Bank, Aba; in 2007 and 2010.

Investigation, the AIG said was on-going and his zone was interfacing with Rivers and Abia State Police High Commands as well as the Joint Military Task Force in, Aba whose wanted list the principle suspect ranked highest.

Ebulu, who allegedly admitted belonging to a gang which was involved in bank robberies in parts of the South-East and South-South, claimed he was a freedom fighter and his arrest would lead to peace in the region.

-Vanguardwp_posts