Anambra Police Arrests 518 Criminal Suspects in 2013

Posted by African Examiner Crime Watch, Ignatius Okpara Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Awka

Anambra State Police Command Tuesday disclosed that it arrested a total of 518 criminal suspects for various offences last year 2013.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the state, Mr. Gwary Akila made this known to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra state capital.

He announced that 281 robbers were arrested during the year under review,14 killed in gun duel with security operatives, just as 182 kidnappers were apprehended. Gwary, added that 18 kidnappers lost their lives in encounter with policemen, while 10 kidnap attempts were foiled by his men.

The Commissioner further hinted that a total number of 247 arms were recovered from hoodlums within the period, which includes, 25 AK47 rifles, 2 Type 06 K2 rifles, 1 Air rifle, 57 locally made pistols, and 120 Pump Actions Guns.

Also recovered were 3 Toy-Gun, 15 DGSGs, 9 English Pistols, 3 Cut-to-size Guns, 2 SMG rifles, 7 SBSG, 1AR-70 rifle, 1 Lar rifle, 1 G3 rifles.

The state police boss, also disclosed that about 8,496 assorted live ammunitions were recovered, as well as 164 magazine and 90,835 cartridges, adding that 74 vehicles, and 28 Tricycles were recovered from hoodlums in the state.

According to him, also in the command’s custody are 16 suspected cultists and 33 suspected Movement For the Actualizatio of Sovereign State of Biafra MASSOB members, while 3 bank robberies were foiled, adding that six other criminals were also arrested.

The Anambra police chief however, attributed the increasing wave of murder incidents in the state on family disputes relating to land matters.

Though, he expressed happiness that the rate was on the decline due to the continuous talks and dialogue with family heads, traditional leaders, President Generals of Town Unions as well as other communities heads in the State.

He said,“Murder, kidnapping and armed robbery were the major crimes recorded in Anambra state. “The frequency of occurrence has been unprecedented in the past three years, even though my officers and men have been working hard to check the incidences which is now reducing”, he stated.

The commissioner also explained that the command had recorded tremendous achievements in the past one-year since he came into office, pointing out that it was as a result of collaboration with other security agencies, the government and the media.