No fewer than four suspected armed robbers lost their lives on Wednesday following an exchange of gunfire between a gang of hoodlums and security operatives at Area M, Zone E World Bank Housing Estate, New Owerri in the state capital.
Addressing newsmen at the Command’s Headquarters in Owerri, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Enwerem, explained that the shoot-out occurred around 11pm when the hoodlums emerged from their hideouts to unleash terror on a professor (names withheld).
Enwerem, who explained that the suspects died instantly, added that the arrested suspect “is giving the police lead way to arrest those who escaped.”
He said that the police had received a distress call and responded.
“On arrival at the scene, the hoodlums sighted the police operatives and engaged them in a shoot-out.
“In the exchange of firing, four of the criminals were killed. One was arrested, while another escaped,” Enwerem said.
According to Enwerem “information revealed that the target of the armed robbers was one professor at the World Bank Estate, Owerri.”
Two policemen sustained bullet wounds and are responding to treatment.
While calling on the people of the state to avail the police with useful information, he warned others to refrain from criminal activities as the police would not hesitate to deal with anybody caught.
The arrested suspect, identified as David Nwankwo from Ebonyi State, is said to have confessed to the crime and pleaded for mercy, saying that he was deceived to joining the gang.
“They told me to join them as we were going to work for the politicians,” he said.
