Police kill 4 robbery suspects

Officers of Imo State  Police Command yesterday shot  four suspected armed robbers dead following a gun duel  at Area M Zone E World Bank Housing Estate, New Owerri area of the  state. Two policemen however,  sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter with the men of the underworld. Addressing newsmen  at the Command’s headquarters, Owerri,  Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Enwerem, explained that  the shoot-out occurred at about 11p.m. on Wednesday, when the suspected  robbers emerged from their hideouts to unleash terror on a professor (name withheld). He said the police had earlier received a distress call and responded accordingly.  Imo State police spokesman said immediately the suspected robbers sighted police operatives,   they engaged them in a shoot-out and  in the exchange of gunfire, four of the criminals were killed, one was arrested alive while others escaped. According to him: “Information revealed that the target of the armed robbers was one Professor at the World Bank Estate, Owerri.” However, two police operatives,  who sustained bullet wounds, according to the Police spokesman, were responding to treatment. Enwerem stated that the arrested suspect “has made useful state...
ment that would lead to the arrest of those who escaped.” Calling on the people of the state to avail the police useful information, he warned others to refrain from criminal activity as the police would not hesitate to bring down anybody caught.
The arrested  suspect, Nwankwo from Ebonyi State, confessed to the crime and pleaded for mercy, saying he was deceived to join the gang.
“They told me to join them as  they said we were going to work for the politicians.”
Items discovered from the robbers included three double barrell and one single locally made shot gun, 25 live cartridge and one expended cartridges,N16,990.00. Others include  one Techo Mobile Phone,One Wrist Watch, four wallets and one vehicle ignition key.