By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Operatives of the FCT Police Command, have arrested the leader of an armed robbery gang responsible for series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes in FCT.
Disclosing this on Monday, the FCT Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, revealed the identity of the suspect as 38-year-old Chukwuemeka Oputa, alias Pounds and Dollars, a native of Umuaka, Njaba in Imo State.
Adeh further disclosed that Oputa’s arrest at about 2pm on Thursday, April 4, 2024, was facilitated by the apprehension on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, of one Moses Hassan of Idda, Kogi State, a cultist, and member of the notorious armed robbery gang.
Investigation subsequently led police operatives to the arrest of three other gang members, identified as Praise Etta, aged 30, a native of Etung, Cross River State; 28-year-old Rafael Dav, aka Raffy, a native of Guma, Benue State; and 38-year-old Thomas Akange 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”, Adeh said.
Several exhibits were recovered from the suspects, including 4 locally fabricated AK47 rifles, 3 locally made rifles using cartridges, an English pistol, one locally made pistol, a Dane gun, 3 AK47 ammunitions, a 5.56mm assault ammunition, and an empty cartridge.
Adeh affirmed that effort is in top gear to recover other exhibits in possession of the suspects, even as the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, has reiterated his unflinching commitment to making FCT inhabitable for criminals.
Residents are urged to be vigilant and to always take advantage of the Police emergency lines to report suspicious activities. These lines are :
08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192
