The Enugu State Police Command has apprehended a gang of suspected criminals involved in armed robbery and fraud across state lines.
The operation, which resulted in the arrest of a dismissed soldier and seven other suspects, is seen as a significant breakthrough in the fight against organised crime in the region.
The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Enugu State, DSP Daniel Ndukwe.
He explained that the operation was a collaborative effort between the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the local Neighbourhood Watch Group.
The statement partly read, “The Enugu State Police Command has successfully dismantled an interstate criminal syndicate that specialised in armed robbery and financial fraud.
“This was achieved through coordinated operations involving the Emene Division, Crack, and Octopus Tactical Squads, alongside the Neighbourhood Watch Group, which led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, cash, and other stolen items.”
Arrested Suspects and Recovered Items
The suspects include 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.
Items recovered from the suspects included two locally made pistols (one with a live cartridge and another with an expended cartridge), ₦300,450 in cash, 10 laptops, 10 mobile phones, jewellery, watches, headphones, four power banks, two SIM cards, and several personal effects, such as footwear, bags, and land documents.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to the police statement, the operation began on November 12, 2024, at around 3:30 a.m., when officers from the Emene Division, supported by members of the local Neighbourhood Watch, responded to a distress call about an ongoing robbery at an estate in Emene.
During the raid, one of the suspects, Ismaila Isah, was apprehended with a locally made pistol, ₦300,450 in cash, and several stolen items. Other members of the gang managed to flee.
Following his arrest, Ismaila was transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad, where further investigations and his confessional statements led to a string of additional arrests.
Acting on this intelligence, police operatives tracked down five more suspects — Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani — at their hideouts in the New Garriki area of Awkunanaw, Enugu. During the raid, another locally made pistol, along with more stolen items, was recovered.
The statement added, “The operation commenced on November 12, 2024, around 3:30 a.m., when operatives from the Emene Division, supported by Neighbourhood Watch members, responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery at an estate in Emene. During the operation, Ismaila Isah was apprehended with one locally made pistol, the said ₦300,450.00, and some stolen items, while others escaped.
“Ismaila was later transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad for further investigation. His confessional statements and subsequent discreet investigations led to the arrest of Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu. Another locally made pistol and additional stolen items were recovered.
“Furthermore, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Squad utilised an intelligence report and arrested Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru in Owerri, Imo State. During interrogation, they admitted to using phones stolen by the syndicate to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ bank accounts. Two SIM cards from different networks were also recovered.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and exploited victims’ SIM cards to commit fraud.
“The suspects also confessed to transporting and selling stolen goods in Imo and other states. Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, admitted to using his security background to bypass police checkpoints while trafficking stolen items across the state.”
The Enugu State Police Command has assured the public that the suspects will be charged to court once the investigation is concluded.