Five men, including two suspected personnel of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC are in Abia Police custody over alleged conspiracy, armed robbery and impersonation in Umuahia.
They include James Prince Victor ‘M’ (39 years) of Ohuhu Umuahia North, who claimed to be an EFCC personnel, Chidozie Onwuzuruike ‘M’ (40 years), Onyedikachi Ihechukwumere ‘M’ (25 years), Onwuka Christopher ‘M’ (26 years) and Tochukwu Obinna ‘M’ (30 years).
According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Maureen Chinaka on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwumelie, “On 23/01/2024, based on credible intelligence, the Central Police Station Umuahia received information that a 4-man gang in EFCC uniforms came to Enyioma Christ Lodge Umudike, dispossessed some students of their phones at gunpoint, and forced them to transfer a total of N120,000 to their account.
“Upon receipt of this information, officers from Central Police Station, CPS Umuahia commenced an investigation and visited the crime scene where they arrested three men from the Man O’ War base, in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU”.
The statement revealed that the police also recovered the following exhibits: 3 out of the 6 stolen phones, a tricycle with registration number, HAF 011 VG, FLEET no. 5868, which was used to facilitate their criminal act.
The statement further revealed “On 24/01/2024, James Prince Victor ‘M’ (39 years) of Ohuhu Umuahia North, who claimed to be an EFCC personnel and who led the Man O’War suspects to the student lodge, was arrested together with Chidozie Onwuzuruike ‘M’ (40 years) of same address ánd the following items were recovered from them: 4 red-coloured jackets with EFCC inscription, two EFCC ID Cards, one of the stolen phones, one toy gun and four EFCC search warrants”.
Investigation into the matter is in progress, the command said and advised Abians to be security-sensitive and report to the police immediately in cases of suspicious activity, whether the individual is in uniform or not, stating “security is a collaborative responsibility, help us police you better. Say something when you see something”.
