Anambra: Police Arrest 26-Year-Old Army Deserter Who Trains Robbers

By David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Anambra State police command has arrested a 26 year-old Army deserter, Ebeje Nnamdi who went on AWOL(away without leave) from 20 Mechanized Battalion, Taraba State, thast specialized in training armed robbers. 

The Anambra State Police commissioner, Garba Umar stated this to journalists while parading 30 suspected criminals at the state police command.

 Umar said Ebeje who trains armed robbers and kidnappers was trailed and arrested at his training ground after two of his trainees; Peter Ali and Ugwuokpe Nnaemeka, members of a six-man gang that specialise in operating on motorcycles, robbing fuel stations and killing policemen were also arrested. 

The commissioner said, “We arrested a gang of armed robbers using two motorcycles led by one Kenneth Chimezie, age 42, and following painstaking investigation and intelligence report, the suspects led police team to their trainers hideout where we apprehended Ebeje. 

“He was found to be a deserter from 20 mechanised battalion in Taraba State, and had gone on AWOL in 2014. He is aged 26.” 

Umar also announced the arrest of another set of armed robbers; Sunday Chigbo and Onyebuchi Eweani in Ogidi community who were arrested with arms and a bag consisting of properties stolen from their victim. 

Three kidnap suspects; Chukwudi Nwabundo, Obiora Madubueze and Chinaza Udeezue, members of a kidnap gang were also arrested, and their victim, John Ifediora of Umuganagu village in Oyi was rescued. 

The command also paraded 22 youths suspected to be cultists, ranging from 16 to 30 years old who were rounded up at their meeting ground in Nnewi, where they converged for initiation. They include members of Black Axe confraternity, Junior Vikings Confraternity, Ayees, Aro, Baggar and 2-2 cult groups.

 The commissioner urged members of the public to feel free to volunteer information to the force as they would be treated anonymously.

 

He said the command would continue to fish out criminal elements in the society to ensure that the state was free of violent crimes, especially in the run up to the Anambra governorship election.