By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
A notorious armed robbery gang terrorising the residents of Onitsha metropolis, Anambra state on Monday met its end in a dramatic confrontation with the Nigerian police at Ibekwe Junction by Ugwunakpamkpa in Inland Town, Onitsha.
The police, who were patrolling the area, opened fire on the five-man gang, resulting in the death of three of them, while one escaped with gunshot wounds and another was captured alive.
The gang, infamous for snatching vehicles at gunpoint in Onitsha and its surrounding areas, attempted to ambush a flashy vehicle at the junction without realizing that it was occupied by police officers on patrol.
A sole surviving gang member, Tochukwu Okoro, from No. 7 Kaduna Street, Fegge, Onitsha, said the group had intended to seize the vehicle, believing it belonged to a civilian.
However, as soon as they moved to attack, the police officers responded with immediate force, taking out three of the robbers on the spot and recovering two firearms from the scene.
Okoro, who was arrested by the police, revealed startling details during his interrogation.
He confessed that the guns used in their operations were supplied by a man known only as “Mayor,” a notorious cultist based in Idemili area of Anambra state.
According to Okoro, Mayor not only provided the gang with weapons but also served as the receiver of their stolen vehicles and other loot.
The incident has brought a relief to Onitsha residents, who have long suffered under the constant threat of vehicle hijackings and other violent crimes committed by the gang.
The police authorities assured the public that the investigation into the gang’s activities would continue, with a manhunt launched to apprehend the remaining gang member who escaped with injuries.
The Anambra State Police Command commended the bravery and quick response of the officers involved in the operation and emphasised the ongoing effort to crack down on criminal elements operating within the state.
The identity and whereabouts of “Mayor,” the cultist linked to the gang, are top priorities for the police.
Residents of Onitsha have expressed their gratitude for the police action, hopeful that the incident marks the end of the gang’s reign of terror in the city.
