As part of the determination of the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force to fight criminals terrorizing the State to a standstill and drastically reduce the crime rate, operatives of the command yesterday gunned down two armed robbery suspects during the gun battle.

The hugely successful operation represents a watershed in the fight against crime and criminal elements in the State under the leadership of John Abang, the incumbent no-nonsense Commissioner of Police.

According to statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Haruna Mohammed, the Police operatives attached to the Command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) engaged the robbery gang in a fierce gun battle when they responded to a distress call and stormed the hideout of the gang.

Members of the gang had allegedly attacked one Chiegulem Chidera at Agouye Umuko, Awka, and snatched his Nissan X-Tera jeep with registration number: Cross River GGJ 402 AA at gunpoint.

Arms and ammunition and the snatched Jeep were recovered from them by the gallant operatives, who trailed the suspects to Nkwo Agulu, where on sighting the Police, opened fire after which the police responded promptly, fatally wounding two of the suspects, Onyebuchi Ngala, ‘aka’ Caesar and Izuchukwu Okoro.

They were later taken to the hospital for treatment but confirmed dead on arrival by the medical doctor.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include the snatched X-Tera jeep, one AK 47 rifle, one pump action gun, six live cartridges, four expended ammunition, five live ammunition of 7.62mm and two AK 47 magazines.

It would be recalled that the deceased suspects were also among the gang responsible for the abduction of one Engr. Emeka Chiaghana of Nibo Community on October 25, 2019.

Meanwhile, investigation on the case was still underway and efforts were ongoing to locate the whereabouts of the abductee.