Enugu Police Bust Border Robbery Gang, Kill Suspect, Arrest Four

The Enugu State Police Command has foiled an attempted armed robbery along the Enugu–Abakaliki Road, neutralised a suspected gang leader, arrested four other suspects in separate border operations and recovered firearms, suspected illicit drugs and other incriminating items.

The command said the operations were carried out under the Inspector-General of Police’s “Handshake Patrol” initiative aimed at strengthening security across border communities.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe.

According to the statement, one of the operations took place on June 28 at about 6:15 a.m., when operatives attached to the Amechi-Idodo Division, working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch, responded to reports that armed robbers had blocked a section of the Enugu–Abakaliki Road to attack motorists.

The police said the gang, which had been under surveillance over a series of armed robberies along the border corridor, engaged the operatives in a gun battle.

During the exchange of fire, the alleged gang leader, Ifesinachi Kenneth, sustained gunshot wounds and was arrested, while other members escaped.

Investigators later arrested another suspect, Izuchukwu Nwanga, after the injured suspect reportedly confessed that he kept the gang’s proceeds from criminal activities.

The command said Kenneth was rushed for medical treatment but was later confirmed dead.

In another operation conducted at about 5:30 p.m. on the same day, police operatives attached to the Umumba Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a criminal hideout at Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area, near the Enugu-Anambra border.

Two suspects, identified as Uwah Ifesinachi Sunday, 23, and Chinonso Okafor Paul, 25, were arrested during the operation.

Police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, a knife, a pair of scissors and quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp from the suspects.

Also on June 28, at about 10:00 a.m., operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad intercepted a commercial tricycle during a stop-and-search operation along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway at Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area.

According to the police, a search of the passengers led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun allegedly belonging to one Ifediri Nwobu, 21.

The suspect reportedly attempted to escape arrest by jumping into a nearby river but was pursued and apprehended by the operatives.

The command said investigations were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects linked to the various cases, adding that those already in custody would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Commending the officers involved in the operations, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, praised their courage, professionalism and collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch.

He reaffirmed the command’s resolve to strengthen security along border communities through intelligence-driven policing.

The commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding and continue providing useful information to security agencies to support efforts at tackling violent crime across the state.