The leader of a criminal gang involved in a hotel robbery and rape on hotel staff has been apprehended by the police.

The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended the head of a criminal gang that specializes in robbing commuters on the Ufuma – Oko – Uga- Amaokpala road in Orumba North and Aguata Local Government Areas.

According to the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, the leader of the gang was captured while the rest of the members managed to escape.

Additionally, the gang leader admitted to being responsible for a recent robbery at a hotel in Ndikelionwu, where a female staff member was subjected to rape. In the early hours of September 6, 2022, the police operatives from the Oko divisional headquarters raided an unfinished building along the Oko – Ufuma expressway in Orumba North LGA based on reliable information.

A 24-year-old man named Okechukwu Okpo has been apprehended by law enforcement officials. He hails from Ndobasi village in Ebonyi State. During the arrest, a homemade gun, two live bullets, and three plasma televisions were confiscated from him.

When the criminal group noticed the presence of the police vehicle, they fired shots at the operatives. In response, the law enforcement personnel swiftly engaged in a gunfight with the armed robbers. While the other members of the gang managed to escape, Okechukwu was successfully captured.

Initial investigations indicate that this gang was responsible for more than 25 armed robberies, cases of kidnapping, and car thefts along the Oko Ufuma, Uga, and Amaokpala expressway, among other locations.

According to the suspect’s confession, the most recent incident occurred on 13/8/2022 at a hotel in Ndikelionwu, where a female staff member was raped and the gang stole three televisions and other items. Authorities are currently making efforts to apprehend the remaining gang members who managed to escape.

Additionally, Ikenga also reported that four other suspected criminals were arrested in a separate incident. These individuals were apprehended with the help of local security and include Chukwubike Anieto, aged 20, from Agulu, Chukwuemerie Ike, aged 36, from Agulu, Chidera Muo, aged 25, from Neni, and Chukwuma Israel, aged 28, all residing in Umuezeani village Akwaeze.

“One Berreta pistol, three motorcycles, an axe, three machetes, a police belt, a Sumec generator, thirteen various phone brands, and other evidence were seized during our recovery operation.

During questioning conducted by our police team, it was revealed that the gang had assaulted a police Constable on 29/8/2022, seizing his personal belongings in Umukabia Okofia village, Neni. Additionally, the gang was apprehended in the act on 9/9/2022 while attempting to rob a woman of her possessions in Okofia village, Neni.”