SSS Arrests 3, Seizes Arms Cache In Awka

The State Security Service, SSS, in Anambra State has arrested three suspected armed robbers and seized a cache of arms and ammunition from them.

Some of the arms and ammunition recovered are two multi-purpose guns, 653 live rounds of ammunition with 416 other live rounds in chains and three pairs of hand gloves.

Displaying the items on Thursday in Awka, the State Director of SSS, Mr Alex Okeiyi, said the weapons came from a neighbouring state in the early hours of 20 November.

Okeiyi, however, said they were intercepted by a joint team of security forces.

He said: “At about 1500 hours of the same day in Awka metropolis, the hoodlums, who ordered in the weapons mobilised came in a red bus to take delivery of the consignment.

“In an exchange of gunfire that ensued, three members of the gang were arrested, some members sustained injuries and the rear glass of their bus shattered with bullets, and some escaped.”

The director said the three arrested suspects were assisting the service in its investigation, while preliminary investigations revealed that the gang intended to rob the banks on Ziks Avenue, Awka.

He said that “First Bank was to be the first target because it was to take delivery of a large volume of cash on 21 November.”

Okeiyi also said that two suspects connected with the kidnap of a student at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Mr Charles Aniemeka-Akaa, a final year law student, had been arrested.

He said the suspects were arrested in Gwagwalada, FCT, by the command’s operatives with the assistance of FCT command.

“During the search operation at the residence of one of the suspects, 318,000 fake US dollars in 100 denominations and charms were recovered.

“An ATM card belonging to one Innocent Idibia, now at large, which was used to withdraw the initial ransom of N1 million paid by the victim’s father among other incriminating items were also recovered,’’ Okeiyi said.

The director commended the state government, the Director-General of SSS, the Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha and the state Commissioner of Police for their support.

He said that all the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations.