The Enugu State Police Command announced the dismantling of an interstate criminal syndicate involved in armed robbery and fraud.

In a statement released on Saturday by the state?s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the operation was carried out through coordinated efforts of the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the Neighbourhood Watch Group. The operation led to the arrest of a dismissed soldier and seven other male suspects.

The statement read, ?The Enugu State Police Command has successfully dismantled an interstate criminal syndicate that specialised in armed robbery and financial fraud. This was achieved through coordinated operations involving the Emene Division, Crack, and Octopus Tactical Squads, alongside the Neighbourhood Watch Group, which led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, cash, and other stolen items.?

The arrested suspects include Ismaila Isah (23), Sadik Ahmed (28, a dismissed soldier), Abbas Usman (33), Mubarak Garba (24), Abubakar Haruna (23), Abubakar Sani (32), Obiri Chukwuebuka (22), and Bright Omeniru (22).

The police recovered two locally made pistols (one with a live cartridge and another with an expended cartridge), ?300,450 in cash, 10 laptops, land documents, 10 mobile phones, jewellery, watches, an MP3 player, headphones, four power banks, two SIM cards, footwear, and bags.

The operation began on November 12, 2024, at 3:30 a.m. when operatives responded to a distress call about an armed robbery at an estate in Emene. Ismaila Isah was apprehended with one locally made pistol, the ?300,450, and some stolen items, while others escaped.

His subsequent confessions led to further arrests in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu.

The Octopus Tactical Squad then arrested Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru in Owerri, Imo State. During questioning, they admitted to using stolen phones to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims? bank accounts.

They also provided information on multiple armed robberies within Enugu and how they sold stolen goods in Imo and other states. Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, confessed to using his background to bypass police checkpoints while trafficking stolen items.

The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court following the conclusion of investigations. (The Guardian: Text, Excluding Headline)