Imo police arrest two armed robbery suspects in Owerri after a victim chased them down. Officers recovered a pistol and seven rounds of ammunition

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command on Wednesday arrested two armed robbery suspects in the Aladinma area of Owerri North Local Government Area after they allegedly robbed a man of his gold chain at gunpoint.

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Police officers also recovered a pistol and seven rounds of live ammunition following what authorities described as a swift response to a distress call in Owerri.

The suspects, identified as Solomon Ejekwe, 29, from Ubaha Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, and Emeka Charles, 35, from Umuopara Ngugo in Ikeduru Local Government Area, allegedly carried out the robbery while the victim was at a car wash in Aladinma.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Henry Okoye, the suspects dispossessed the victim of his gold chain and fled the scene on a motorcycle.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was washing his car at a car wash located at Mangrove, Aladinma, when the suspects approached him, robbed him of his gold chain at gunpoint, and fled the scene on a motorcycle,” Henry Okoye said in a statement.

The police spokesperson explained that the victim immediately pursued the suspects in his vehicle and succeeded in knocking them down during the chase.

Henry Okoye added that the suspects were subsequently overpowered by an angry mob before police operatives arrived at the scene and took them into custody.

“The arrest followed a distress call from members of the public reporting an armed robbery incident at Aladinma, Owerri. Acting promptly on the information, police operatives mobilised to the scene and successfully apprehended the suspects,” Henry Okoye said.

The suspects sustained injuries during the incident and were rushed to a police medical facility in Owerri for treatment.

Henry Okoye confirmed that the suspects would be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded and after receiving medical attention.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Audu Garba Bosso, commended the prompt response of officers and the cooperation of members of the public that helped secure the arrests.

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Audu Garba Bosso, however, warned residents against mob action and jungle justice, urging citizens to allow law enforcement agencies to handle criminal matters through the proper legal process.