Soldiers Kill Robbery Suspect, Arrest 3 Others In Ebonyi

Soldiers on Monday shot dead a robbery suspect and arrested three others accused of terrorising innocent motorists and commuters along the Afikpo/Abaomege/Akpoha federal highway in Ebonyi State.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the suspects were part of a gang that consistently terrorised motorists and commuters along the highway, thereby making the road unsafe for travellers, especially for those coming to Abakaliki from Imo and Abia States.

However, luck ran out of the suspects Monday morning when military personnel swooped on them, killing one and arrested three others.

The operation, seen in a trending video on the social media showed travellers and natives attempting to catch a glimpse of the suspects while praising the gallantry of the troops as they prepared to take the arrested suspects away, while another was seen lying fatally wounded.

The State’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said information on the development was still sketchy as the state police command was waiting for details of the incident from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the Abomege Division.

“I’ve not been able to get anything conclusive, the DPO for Abomeghe confirmed getting information on that, but doesn’t have details. So, I don’t have any details to give”, DSP Ukandu stated.

The Chairman-elect of Onicha local government area, Ogboffia Ikechukwu said he received a call that armed robbers were operating on the highway and immediately contacted the military who stormed the scene.

Ikechukwu added that the days of insecurity and criminality were over in the area.

One of road users, Onyebuchi Chima said the state of the Abaomege/Akpoha axis of the expressway has made it a death trap, facilitating robbery operations.