The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old man, Elijah Chigemezu, notorious for robbing people of their phones at gunpoint.
Alongside Chigemezu, two additional suspects were apprehended: 27-year-old John Chukwudi from Ntu in Ngor-Okpala LGA, and 32-year-old Chibeze Tasie, both of whom were arrested in the Naze area.
According to a statement from the State Police Command’s Spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, the suspects were captured by officers from the Nekede Divisional Headquarters after an intelligence-led operation and thorough investigation.
ASP Okoye noted that the arrests underscore the command’s ongoing commitment to reducing crime across the state.
“One of the suspects, John Chukwudi, 27, a native of Ntu in Ngor-Okpala LGA, Imo State, was arrested on August 14, 2024, while on an intelligence-led patrol with local vigilantes along Human Race Hospital Road, Nekede.
“Recovered from him were a locally made pistol and five live cartridges.
“During interrogation, he admitted to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity and revealed that the gun was given to him by a syndicate member, Ugochukwu Ndubuisi, alias Dimzi Gate, who is currently at large,” Okoye explained.
Regarding the arrest of Elijah Chigemezu, a native of Ezzamgbo in Ebonyi State, the police spokesperson stated that he was apprehended on August 11, 2024, along Cluster Road, Naze, while in the act of robbing a young man of his phone and personal belongings at gunpoint.
His arrest was made possible by a swift response to a distress call, with police operatives working in tandem with the military.
“One locally made gun was recovered from him, and he confessed to the crime during interrogation,” Okoye added.
The arrest of Chibieze Tasie at No 1 Naze, according to Okoye, followed a detailed investigation into a reported case of motorcycle theft in Nekede.
Upon questioning, Tasie admitted to conspiring with one Ndubisi, who is currently at large, to steal motorcycles from unsuspecting riders in the Nekede area.