Anambra: Police Shoot Robber Fleeing With Stolen N3.5m

The Anambra State police command has arrested a man, identified as Chukwuemeka Afor, who allegedly snatched a bag containing N3.5m from a victim, near a new generation bank in Awka.

An eyewitness revealed that the suspect was gun down during a gun battle with the police while trying to escape with the money.

“He was shooting indiscriminately. Four persons were hit during the gun battle. But the police overpowered him because he sustained gunshot injuries in the process,” the eyewitness said.

The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson of the command, Haruna Mohammed.

Mr Mohammed revealed that the suspect was arrested and a firearm and the stolen money were recovered from him.

Mohammed stated, “Police operatives attached to the Department of Operations, Awka, and stationed at the Regina Caeli junction by the Zenith Bank Plc, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Awka, responded to a distress call that a hoodlum armed with an automatic pump action rifle was firing indiscriminately after snatching a bag containing N3.5m from one Ebuka Ukeakpu.”

“The suspect, Chukwuemeka Afor, 25, a native of the Akpoga Nkanu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, who was almost lynched by a mob, was arrested, while the firearm and the snatched money were recovered from him.”

“However, four persons were hit by stray pellets fired by the suspect, but their injuries are not life-threatening.”

The police spokesperson further stated that people who sustained injuries were rushed to the Police Hospital, Awka, while the suspect, who was beaten to a pulp by the mob, was responding to treatment.

He added that the case was under investigation after which the suspect would be charged to court.