Robbery: Police deploy additional 500 men in Onitsha

By John Ameh, Onitsha

The Anambra State Police Command deployed additional 500 men in the commercial city of Onitsha on Friday in a bid to contain the crime wave in the area.


The development coincided with the killing of two robbery suspects and the arrest of four others. Bandits, kidnappers and rapists have intensified their attacks in the city lately, overstretching the resources at the disposal of the police.

Last month, about 12 suspected kidnappers were killed at Enenchele, an island on the River Niger in a joint operation involving riot policemen and soldiers. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Oliver Osuchukwu, deployed additional policemen in the city on Friday when he kicked off a new anti-crime operation, “Operation Mop-Up.”

The men, who will be assisted by recognised vigilance groups, were given the mandate to flush out robbers, who disguise as commercial motorcyclists to dispossess their victims of cash and other valuables. He said, “Never again will ruthless okada robbers maim, kill and dispossess innocent citizens of their hard-earned monies withdrawn from the banks.”

The two suspects were reportedly killed in a gun battle with the police after they attacked their victims along Awka Road, Onitsha, and tried to escape on a red Kymco bike with registration number VS 060 ENU. One English pistol with serial number JW 270 ET and four rounds of .9 mm ammunition were recovered from them.

Four Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka students were also arrested for alleged robbery and cult activities. There arrests came shortly after men of the state anti-robbery squad foiled an attack on a popular fast-food joint in Awka.

hummmmm.