Police Arrest Ex-Convicts for Armed Robbery in Rivers

Operatives of the  Rivers State Police Command have arrested one Azubuike Orji (27) and Anthony Augustine (22) for alleged involvement in armed robbery activities in the state.

Speaking on the development, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed that the suspects were recently released from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.

The police spokesperson said the suspects and others, still at large, have been terrorising the Elelenwo axis of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

She disclosed that the arrest of Orji, a native of Abia state, led to the gang leader of their robbery group, one Anthony Augustine, who operates a brothel in the area.

According to Iringe-Koko, “The Rivers State Police Command received a formal complaint from a victim who had been robbed of his valuables at Odani junction in Elelenwo by a group of armed men.

“The Commissioner of Police immediately tasked the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to flush out the armed robbers from the area. In response to the Police Chief’s directive, the unit carried out stop-and-search operations and placed the area under surveillance.

“These crack operations led to the arrest of one Azubuike Orji, 27, a native of Arochukwu in Abia State, who claimed to be a bus conductor. The suspect, who was released from the Nigerian Correctional Service a few months ago, was arrested with a locally made pistol.

“He confessed to working for the leader of the armed robbery syndicate, Anthony Augustine, revealing that his specialty in the gang was peddling drugs and servicing guns.”

“The gang leader, Anthony Augustine, 22, was arrested at Green City Estate in Odani, Elelenwo, amidst widespread jubilation from residents as he and his gang had been a terror to the community.

“The leader confessed to running a brothel as a guise for his underworld activities. Further investigation revealed that he was involved in a case of murder and robbery and had recently been released from a correctional center.”

The police spokesperson revealed the items recovered from Augustine to include an iPhone, suspected packs of marijuana, POS machines, and locally-made pistols.

She said investigations are still ongoing as the police seek to arrest other members of the syndicate.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olatunji Disu, has lauded the efforts of the men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and encouraged residents of the State to promptly report crime as it happens to enable the police apprehend criminals and nip crime in the bud.

He also warned the public against buying used items, especially phones, regardless of how cheap they are, citing that such purchases can lead to more significant problems.

Disu further counseled young people to desist from seeking to make wealth using dishonest means as they will be at the mercy of the law when caught.