- Safiu Kehinde
Operatives attached to the Enugu State Police Command has foiled a robbery attempt while neutralising one suspect.
The operatives also recovered firearms, ammunition, and other exhibits from the crime scene.
As confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, the incident happened around 4:10 a.m. on the 6th of August in the state’s capital.
Ndukwe stated that a distress call alerted the Independence Layout Police Division to a robbery in progress at Premier Layout, Enugu.
Responding swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised police operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group to the scene.
On sighting the operatives, the gang engaged them in fire exchange, killing one suspect.
While other members of the gang escaped, the body of the dead suspect whose identity remains unknown was recovered.
A search of the area and the suspect’s body yielded a cut-to-size locally made single-barrel gun and one live cartridge.
Also recovered were a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, one live round of ammunition, and a Nokia torch-button phone belonging to the suspect.
Other items included two iPhones belonging to victims, a red-and-black torchlight, a small red bag, and N9,000 in N1,000 denomination.
Ndukwe added that further investigations on Friday led to the recovery of a pump-action gun with four live cartridges.
The weapon was found abandoned near the scene and is believed to have been left by fleeing gang members.
In reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, praised the operatives’ bravery and professionalism during the operation.
He reaffirmed the command’s determination to tackle violent crime and maintain public safety across Enugu State.
The Police chief urged residents to stay alert and share credible information to support proactive policing efforts in their communities.