The Imo State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered a pump-action rifle, as well as a stolen motorcycle, in Owerri.

PUNCH Metro gathered this from a statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye.

Okoye noted that operatives of the New Owerri Divisional Headquarters, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended the suspects—Sohnani Bitrus, 25, and Burfa Selkap, 25—on April 3. He added that both men are natives of Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects robbed one Joel Andrew at his residence at about 0400hrs, threatening him with a firearm and unlawfully seizing his red Daylong motorcycle, with registration number NWA765QT. The motorcycle has since been recovered.

“Further interrogation of the suspects led to the recovery of the pump-action rifle and a machete in their hideout within Okwu-Uratta, Owerri North Local Government Area,” Okoye added.

He further stated that the suspects would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Owerri, for consolidation of the investigation and to aid efforts to apprehend their alleged accomplices.

Okoye also reaffirmed the commitment of the state Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, to ensuring adequate security measures to protect Imo residents during and after the Easter celebration.

He urged residents to provide the command with timely and credible information at the nearest police station or via the emergency line. (The PUNCH)