The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old member of a local vigilante group, Enediong Bassey, for attempting to escape with a pump-action gun hidden in a bag of rice to join an armed robbery gang.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Bassey was arrested at Nkwell-Ezunaka by police operatives attached to 33 Police Divisional headquarters led by CSP Emeka Obi, on Friday at 6:38pm while acting on credible information.
The police recovered the gun, which Bassey had wrapped in a bag of rice.
Upon interrogation, Bassey confessed to being a member of a security outfit/vigilante and was about to escape with the gun to join his criminal gang for armed robbery and other unpatriotic activities.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a security outfit/vigilante and was about to escape with the gun to join his criminal gang, for armed robbery and other unpatriotic activities,” Ikenga said.
The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has reiterated the need for profiling of security operatives assisting the police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state.
“Given the above and following other complaints and unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner Of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, in line with the principles of community policing reiterates the calls for profiling of security operatives assisting the police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state,” Ikenga added.
The suspect has been transferred to the anti-robbery squad of the command for comprehensive investigations.
