The Anambra State Police Command has arrested an armed robber who was recruited into the state’s vigilante group, fleeing with a pump action gun for a robbery operation.
The arrest was made by police operatives attached to the 3-3 Police Division, led by CSP Emeka Obi, who acted on credible information.
The suspect, identified as Enediong Bassey, is a native of Ikono Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State.
He was apprehended in Nkwelle-Ezunaka, where one pump action gun wrapped in a rice bag was recovered from him.
During interrogation, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the suspect admitted to being a member of a security outfit/vigilante.
Ikenga said the suspect further confessed that he was attempting to escape with the gun to join his criminal gang for armed robbery and other illegal activities.
According to Ikenga, in response to complaints of unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, reiterated calls for the profiling of security operatives assisting the police and other agencies in anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state.
He also added that the CP has directed the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Anti-Robbery Squad for further investigation.