July 17, 2024
A suspected armed robber believed to be responsible for series of crimes in the Nsukka area of Enugu State, including motorcycle snatching, sexual assault, and kidnapping, has been apprehended in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
The suspect, who identified himself as Emeka Sunday from Enugu-Ezike, allegedly snatched a motorcycle at gunpoint from one Stephen Amadi in Lejja, Nsukka on April 19.
In an interview with newsmen, Amadi claimed that on April 18, the suspect had asked to be given a ride home and then, halfway through the journey, pulled a gun on him (Amadi) and robbed him of the motorcycle.
Amadi reported the incident to the police in Nsukka, but attempted to track down the suspect, using the phone number he had exchanged proved futile as he had blocked all calls related to the stolen motorcycle.
However, a fortuitous turn of events led to the suspect’s downfall.
Amadi’s sister, who was serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ibadan managed to befriend the suspect on Facebook.
The suspect, likely believing he had found another potential victim, invited the woman to meet him at a hotel in Ibadan.
Upon receiving this information, the woman promptly contacted the Police at the Eleyele Police Headquarters in Ibadan.
The police then set up an ambush at the hotel, and when the suspect emerged, they swiftly apprehended him.
During an interrogation, the suspect confessed to the motorcycle theft and other crimes, though the claims about his identity and hometown are yet to be verified.
He also admitted to selling the stolen motorcycle for a meagre price of 100,000 naira.
Meanwhile, the challenge now lies in the jurisdictional issue, as the initial crime was committed within the Enugu State Police Command’s jurisdiction.
The Oyo State Police Command, which successfully arrested the suspect, is unable to prosecute the case, as the original crime occurred outside of its jurisdiction.
When Vanguard further placed a call to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, to get an update on the case, he said he was out of the office and that he could not provide any information to that effect.
Similarly, this correspondent attempted to call the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the arrest, but the line made available could not be reached.
The Ogbede Divisional Police in Enugu State, where the case was initially reported, have so far shown little interest in travelling to Ibadan to take custody of the suspect.
They are reportedly demanding additional logistical support from the complainants before they could make the trip.
Consequently, the police headquarters at Eleyele had threatened to release the suspect if the Enugu State authorities did not make arrangements to transfer him by a stipulated time.
