A truck loaded with 900 bags of cement allegedly snatched by a robbery syndicate in Uromi, Edo state has been intercepted in Anambra State.
Also arrested were four persons suspected to have masterminded the theft, Anambra Police Command says.
They include three males Anayo Ulugha aged 26 years of Orlu in Imo State, Omoke Chigozie aged 28 years of Orlu in Imo State and Joseph Agu aged 24 years of Omuma, Imo State.
Among the exhibits recovered from them were the truck and 900 bags of cement as well as a machete.
A statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed said the suspects were members of a robbery syndicate who specialize in stealing cement trucks.
According to him, “there was a report that a Howo truck with Registration number AAA 715 YA loaded with 900 bags of Cement belonging to BUA Cement Company Okpelle, was snatched by a robbery syndicate at Uromi village in Edo State.
“The report said the truck was diverted towards Anambra State by the suspects after allegedly inflicting deep matchet cuts on the driver and leaving him unconscious.”
He said following the report, Police operatives attached to Onitsha Head bridge Division in conjunction with the Command Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) quickly mobilized to Onitsha Bridgehead and intercepted the truck leading to the arrest of the suspects.
The PPRO said the suspects voluntarily confessed to have snatched the truck same date at about 4:30 am and was heading to Imo State before they were intercepted.
“Consequently, the suspects further led Police detectives to Orlu in Imo State where their gang leader, one Chinonso Onuigbo aged 44years of Orlu in Imo State was also arrested.
“It would be recalled that similar incident took place a few months ago between Onitsha – Owerri road in Anambra State before the Commissioner of Police John Abang ordered for intensive patrols along that axis thereby forcing the syndicate to flee the State because of tight security measures put in place by the Command,” Mohammed noted.
He said the case is under investigation after which the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.
