An anti-crime squad of the Anambra State Police Command has arrested a vigilante operative with a pump action gun he concealed in a rice bag.
Police Public relations officer of the State Police Command (PPRO), superintendent of police, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who disclosed the development yesterday in a statement to newsmen in Awka, the state capital said that the suspect, Enediong Bassey, aged 25 years, a native of Ikono local government area of Akwa-Ibom State was arrested with the gun somewhere at Nkwelle-Ezunaka at about 6.38pm last Thursday by a team of the state police squad led by CSP Emeka Obi attached to the 3-3 divisional headquarters of the state command.
Ikenga stated that upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a security outfit/vigilante and was about to escape with the gun to join his criminal gang for armed robbery and other unpatriotic activities.
“Given the above and following other complaints and unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner of police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam in line with the principles of Community Policing reiterates the calls for profiling of security operatives assisting the Police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state,” he said.
The state police command spokesman further said that the CP has already directed the immediate transfer of the suspect to the anti-robbery squad of the command for comprehensive investigations.
