Police arrest armed robber while r0bbing v!ctims in Anambra

Police arrest armed robber while robbing victims in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested one Nicholas Nweke, said to be a suspected armed robber who specialises in robbing unsuspecting victims at bus stops and other public spaces.

In a statement released on Saturday, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect was arrested while trying to rob a victim.

Ikenga said a pump-action rifle, five expended cartridges, one Itel mobile phone, and a cash sum of N1,200 were recovered from the suspect during the arrest.

He added that police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, arrested the suspect on December 25, following the act of bravery displayed by a victim he was trying to rob in the late hours.

According to him, the police responding police team met the victim struggling with the suspect over a firearm at the scene, and, consequently, the suspect was successfully disarmed and arrested with the assistance of the police.

The statement read in part, “Following the timely intervention of operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, and the act of bravery displayed by a victim in the late hours of December 25, 2025, one Nicholas Nweke, a suspected armed robber, was arrested.

“The team also recovered a pump-action rifle, five expended cartridges, one Itel mobile phone, and a cash sum of N1,200, respectively.

“The police responding team met the victim struggling with the suspect over a firearm at the scene. Consequently, the suspect was successfully disarmed and arrested with the assistance of the police.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect approached the victim and demanded his phone and other valuables. Upon refusal, the suspect allegedly fired shots, during which pellets reportedly struck two unsuspecting individuals.

“The wounded were taken to a nearby hospital and are currently stable and responding to treatment.”

According to him, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for discreet and comprehensive investigation. Further development shall be communicated, please.

PUNCH Online on December 21 reported that the Anambra State Police Command arrested five suspected armed robbers posing as vigilante operatives to rob passengers in a shuttle bus at Ring Road, Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said police recovered two pump-action guns, five live cartridges, an ash-coloured shuttle bus, face masks, number plates, and other incriminating items from the suspects.

Ikenga explained that the suspects were apprehended by officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following investigations into criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.