By Izunna Okafor


Police in Anambra State have arrested four suspects who specialize in snatching car at gunpoint, dismantling and selling it as spare parts to buyers.

This was contained in a statement released by the Police Public Relation Officer, Anambra State Command, Mr. Haruna Mohammed on Friday.

He said the suspects, who include Emeka Onyeoma 'm' (aged 23); Chidiebele Amaluaka 'm' (aged 22); Ezenwaokolo Ikechukwu 'm' (aged 20); and Abuchi James 'm' (aged about 30) were arrested at different locations in the state.

According to him, the suspects allegedly lured one Pastor Uche Iheme 'm' aged 41 years of Awomama, Imo State, to a location behind First Bank Oyeolisa Ogidi, and snatched (at gunpoint) his Toyota RAV4 Car with Reg number GRE 170 AA, Samsung J4 phone valued N82,000 and cash sum of Five thousand($5000) US Dollars, after which they also shot him on the left limb and fled, leaving him unconscious.

However, luck ran out of them on 5th May, as Police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) swung into action, and consequently trapped them down.

The statement reads in parts, "On the 5/5/2020 at about 11:30am following intelligence report,Police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested at different locations within Nkpor axis the following syndicate, Emeka Onyeoma 'm' aged 23 years, Chidiebele Amaluaka 'm' aged 22, and, Ezenwaokolo Ikechukwu 'm' aged 20 years respectively.

"Suspects had on 24/2/2020 at about 2:30pm allegedly lured one Pastor Uche Iheme 'm' aged 41 years of Awomama, Imo State, to a location behind First Bank Oyeolisa Ogidi and snatched his Toyota RAV4 Car with Reg number GRE 170 AA, Samsung J4 phone valued N82,000 and cash sum of five thousand ($5000) US Dollars.

"The suspects equally shot the victim on his left limb and fled, leaving him unconscious in the pool of his blood.

"Discreet investigation also led to the arrest of their receiver one Abuchi James 'm' aged about 30 years at Mgbuka Obosi where the snatched vehicle was completely dismantled and sold out, but the engine was recovered."

The Police Spokesman further revealed that one barreta pistol with three rounds of 9mm ammunition, and the engine of the snatched vehicle were among the exhibits recovered from the suspects.

He also noted that the case was under investigation, after which the suspects would be be charged to Court for prosecution.