Armed Robbery suspects in army uniform escape from police custody

There was tension on Thursday in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State following the escape of three suspected armed robbers, wearing army uniform, from police cell.

The suspects, whose names were given as Olisa Dominic, Friday Nwali and Nwanosike Isaac, were reportedly arrested by a vigilance group in the area known as Obosi Vanguard at Little Wood Estate, Obosi, while allegedly getting ready to strike.

The suspects escaped shortly after they were handed over to the police by the vigilance group.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that the community was living in fear after the development.

“We are living in fear and danger now. We can’t understand how some suspects arrested by our vigilantes would escape after they were duly handed over to the police.

“Something is wrong somewhere. We no longer sleep with our eyes fully closed because anything can happen anytime. We don’t know who to trust again,” the source stated.

Addressing newsmen, the president of the group, Mr Oluchukwu Anyaoku, said he got the information of the arrest while at work and had to send his deputy, Chimezie Ononwu, who took the suspects to the community town hall for transfer to Ogidi Police Area Command.

“As the suspects were kept at the hall, waiting for the handover to the Ogidi Police Area Command, the police from Obosi led by one Ovat, a sergeant, with some boys came and took the suspects to Obosi Police Station and since then, we have not known their whereabouts.

“It is the Obosi police that will tell the world the whereabouts of the suspects. We are a non-violent group and do not want to have any misunderstanding with the police and that was why we handed the suspects over to them.

“It is left for the police at Obosi to tell the people, the public and the world the whereabouts of the three suspects in army uniform arrested with cutlasses; the police have to produce the suspects.”

Reacting, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar, said he had directed immediate investigation into the matter.