The operatives of the FCT police command have arrested a suspected armed robber, Chukwuemeka Oputa a.k.a Pounds and Dollar, and four members of his gang over a series of armed robberies in the territory.
The spokesperson for the command, Josephine Adeh, a superintendent of police, said this in a statement on Monday.
She said the arrest of Mr Oputa, a 38 years old native of Njaaba in Imo State on 4 April, was consequent upon the apprehension of one Moses Hassan, a native of Idda, Kogi State, who is a cultist and member of the armed robbery gang.
Mr Hassan was apprehended on 14 February.
Ms Adeh said the investigation subsequently led police operatives to the arrest of other three gang members, namely Praise Etta (30), Rafael Dav a.k.a Raffy, (28) and Thomas Akange (38).
The police spokesperson said the suspects have since confessed to being involved in offences as well as their membership of a cult group.
“Investigation subsequently led police operatives to the arrest of three other gang members, namely: Praise Etta, 30 years ‘old, of Etung, Cross River State; Rafael Dav A.K.A. Raffy, 28 years old, of Guma, Benue State; and Thomas Akange, 38 years ‘old, of Markudi, Benue State.
“All the suspects have since confessed to being involved in a series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes in FCT and are also members of a confraternity cult group called Vikings,” the statement said.
Ms Adeh also said several exhibits, such as four locally fabricated AK47 rifles, three locally made rifles using cartridges, an English pistol, one locally made pistol, a Dane gun, and three (3) AK47 ammunitions, a 5.56mm assault ammunition, and an empty cartridge, were recovered from the suspects.
Read the full statement below
FCT COMMAND
FCT POLICE ARRESTS NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBERY KINGPIN, 4 OTHERS, RECOVERS EXHIBITS.
The operatives of the FCT police command, on April 4, 2024, at about 2:00 PM, arrested one Chukwuemeka Oputa A.K.A. Pounds and Dollar ‘m’, 38 years old, of Umuaka, Njaba, Imo State, and the leader of an armed robbery gang responsible for a series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes in FCT.
His arrest is consequent upon the apprehension of one Moses Hassan ‘m’ of Idda, Kogi State, a cultist, and member of the armed robbery gang, on February 14, 2024.
The investigation subsequently led police operatives to the arrest of three other gang members, namely: Praise Etta, 30 years ‘old, of Etung, Cross River State; Rafael Dav A.K.A. Raffy, 28 years old, of Guma, Benue State; and Thomas Akange, 38 years ‘old, of Markudi, Benue State. All the suspects have since confessed to being involved in a series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes in FCT and are also members of a confraternity cult group called Vikings.
Several exhibits, such as four (4) locally fabricated AK47 rifles, three (3) locally made rifles using cartridges, an English pistol, one locally made pistol, a Dane gun, and three (3) AK47 ammunitions, a 5.56mm assault ammunition, and an empty cartridge, were recovered from the suspects.
While effort is on top gear to recover other exhibits in possession of the suspects, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, wishes to reiterate his unflinching commitment to making FCT inhabitable for criminals. He also urges residents to be vigilant and to always take advantage of the Police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192
SP Josephine Adeh, Anipr,
Police Public Relations Officer,
For: The Commissioner of Police, FCT, Abuja.