Operatives of the Imo State Police Command on Monday neutralized a notorious armed robber during a gun duel at Ohi/Egbeada junction in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
The police also recovered one fully-loaded AK47 rifle with double magazines from the slain armed robber and one-loaded locally-made pistol from his fleeing gang members.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in the state, CSP Michael Abattam, the command’s tactical team swung into action upon receipt of a distress call from a victim that a three-member gang was robbing innocent people of their valuables at the junction.
He informed that the hoodlums upon sighting the police operatives opened fire resulting in a gun duel.
He added that the police operatives, who positioned themselves professionally, shot and killed one of the armed robbers while the others fled on the motorcycles they had earlier snatched from their owners.
Abattam further disclosed that the corpse of the slain robber has been deposited at the morgue at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri while the police have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing bandits.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde have commended the officers and men for their gallantry and thanked Imolites for their cooperation and unalloyed support.
He assured of the command’s efforts in wiping out criminals out of the state and urged citizens to report any person seen nursing or treating bullet injury to the nearest police station or call the command’s emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.
