The Imo state police command says it has arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered a pistol and seven rounds of live ammunition.
Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday that the suspects are Solomon Ejekwe, 29, of Ubaha Orodo in Mbaitoli LGA, and Emeka Charles, 35, of Umuopara Ngugo in Ikeduru LGA.
Okoye said the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Orji divisional headquarters in collaboration with the command’s anti-kidnapping unit.
“The arrest followed a distress call from members of the public reporting an armed robbery incident at Aladinma, Owerri. Acting promptly on the information, police operatives mobilised to the scene and successfully apprehended the suspects.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was washing his car at a car wash located at Mangrove, Aladinma, when the suspects approached him, robbed him of his gold chain at gunpoint, and fled the scene on a motorcycle.
“The victim, however, pursued the suspects in his vehicle and succeeded in knocking them down. They were subsequently overpowered and beaten by an angry mob before police operatives arrived at the scene and took them into custody.”
The statement added that the suspects were rushed to the police medical centre for treatment and would be arraigned in court with the appropriate criminal charges as soon as possible.
Audu Garba Bosso, the commissioner of police in the state, commended the prompt response of the operatives and the cooperation of members of the public.
He also warned residents against mob action and jungle justice, urging the public to always allow the law to take its course.