Police officers from the Anambra State Command dismantled a five-man armed robbery gang on Sunday, killing three of the members who were allegedly terrorising the people living in Onitsha and the surrounding areas.

After engaging in a gunfight with the police late on Sunday, the thieves met their demise in a clash with the police officers at the Ibekwe Junction by Ugwunakpamkpa in Inland Town, which is situated in the commercial hub of Onitsha.

When our correspondent went there on Monday, she learnt that the five-man gang was being fired at by security personnel who were on patrol. Three of the robbers were killed, one fled with gunshot wounds, and one was apprehended alive.

Speaking with DAILYPULSE REPORT, a few residents expressed their happiness and predicted that the development will bring quiet and respite back to the neighbourhood.

“The gang is notorious for snatching vehicles at gunpoint in Onitsha and its surrounding areas,” Mrs. Ijeoma, a resident, stated. They didn’t realise that the shiny car at the intersection was occupied by police officers on patrol when they tried to ambush it.

“We thank the police for their action, and we hope that this will put an end to the gang’s reign of terror in the area.”

The lone gang member still alive (name withheld), who says he lives on Kaduna Street in Fegge, Onitsha, stated during a police interrogation that the group planned to take the car because they thought it belonged to a civilian.

But as soon as we launched our attack, the police officers reacted quickly and forcefully, eliminating three members of our gang right away and removing two firearms from the area,” he continued.

During his questioning, the suspect—who is still being held by the police—also disclosed shocking information.

He admitted that the infamous cultist who supplied the gang with firearms, as well as their stolen cars and other booty, was also the source of the weaponry they utilised in their activities.

Speaking to media, the police agents—who were compelled to remain silent as they lacked authorisation to speak—reassured the public that the gang’s operations would continue to be investigated and that a manhunt would be conducted to capture the last gang member, who managed to flee with minor injuries.

Through SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, the command praised the officers’ bravery and prompt response during the operation and underlined the continued effort to target criminal elements operating within the state.