A suspected member of a four-man criminal gang has died after jumping from a storey building in a bid to evade arrest in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Police spokesperson DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident on Friday, August 22, said security operatives on patrol identified the gang carrying black “Super Shopping” bags. While three suspects fled, one was apprehended with a bag before attempting to escape.
“While being escorted to be handed over to the Police along with the recovered items, he attempted to escape by jumping down from the storey building,” Ikenga said.
He added that the suspect sustained gunshot wounds in the process of being re-arrested and was later confirmed dead in a nearby hospital. His body has been deposited in a morgue for autopsy, while the recovered items and the vigilante weapon used during the operation are in custody.
Ikenga further disclosed that the Anambra State Police Command achieved “significant breakthroughs” in other operations on the same day at Onitsha and Obosi in its fight against sabotage and vandalism of public infrastructure.
In a separate raid, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, acting on intelligence, stormed a vandal hideout along Atani Road, Onitsha, and arrested three suspects: Adamu Ali, 25; Usman Sulaiman, 22; and Isah Abdullahi, 26.
Recovered from them were bags of high-tension cable wires, melted wires, and parts of transformer equipment. Preliminary investigations revealed the suspects belonged to a syndicate specializing in vandalising and selling power installations, with Lagos identified as their main sales outlet.
Ikenga said investigations are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover additional stolen items.
“The Command reiterates its warning to criminal elements engaging in sabotage of public utilities that the Police will relentlessly fish them out. The Command also urges Ndi Anambra to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around government installations to the nearest Police Station,” he added.