By Izunna Okafor, Awka
A suspected armed robber and motorcycle snatcher, identified as 27-year-old Somadina Ugwueke, is currently in police custody following a swift and well-coordinated operation carried out by operatives of the Enugu State Police Command with the support of vigilant members of the public.
The arrest, which took place around 10:10 p.m. on May 19, 2025, in Nsukka, marks another significant breakthrough in the fight against street-level armed robbery and vehicle snatching in the state.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the operation was led by officers attached to the Nsukka Urban Division, who acted promptly on credible intelligence following a robbery incident reported earlier that night.
He said preliminary investigations show that the arrested suspect and his yet-to-be-identified accomplice had posed as passengers and boarded a commercial motorcycle along Edim Road in Nsukka. However, upon reaching Saint Cyprian Road, Nsukka, the situation took a criminal turn as the suspect allegedly pulled out a locally made revolver pistol and, alongside his fleeing partner, forcefully dispossessed the rider of his Q-Link motorcycle.
The PPRO said the robbery was swiftly reported, and in a prompt response backed by active community collaboration, police operatives mounted a strategic pursuit, which led to the successful arrest of Somadina Ugwueke. He said, upon apprehension, the operatives recovered one locally made revolver pistol, two live cartridges, one expended cartridge, the stolen Q-Link motorcycle, and other incriminating exhibits in the suspect’s possession.
Meanwhile, the suspect’s accomplice managed to escape during the heat of the chase and is currently on the run. Security operatives have already launched a manhunt to ensure his arrest and bring him to face the full weight of the law.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives for their swift response and synergy with the local residents. He further directed a thorough investigation into the case and emphasized the importance of ensuring the arrest of the fleeing suspect and any other criminal elements connected to the gang.
The police have assured the public that the command remains committed to maintaining a robust security architecture across Enugu State and urged citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to aid law enforcement efforts.
