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ONITSHA, ANAMBRA STATE — Outrage has engulfed an estate in the 33 axis of Onitsha, Anambra State, after residents accused officers at the 33 Police Station of releasing a suspected burglar who was apprehended during a massive break-in operation.
The incident began when an armed gang of over ten thieves invaded the estate overnight, breaking into multiple apartments and carting away laptops, phones, cash, and other personal valuables running into millions of naira.
One of the affected tenants recounted losing three mobile phones—including two high-end devices—a laptop computer, and cash to the gang during the early-morning raid.
Following the attack, the estate’s security detail swung into action and successfully tracked down and apprehended one of the key suspects. Stolen clothing and other items belonging to the victims were recovered in his possession.
The estate guards handed the suspect over to the local vigilante group, who interrogated him and got him to agree to lead security personnel to his gang’s hideout and the receivers buying their stolen goods.
The suspect was subsequently transferred to the 33 Police Station in Onitsha for further investigation and prosecution.
However, the situation took a controversial turn at the station when police officers on duty allegedly demanded the sum of ₦100,000 as a mobilization fee from the victims before they would take the suspect to arrest his fleeing accomplices.
Unable to raise the cash sum after suffering heavy financial losses in the burglary, the residents offered to provide a vehicle and fuel for the officers to carry out the raid.
The victims claimed the officers rejected the offer and threatened to release the suspect if the money was not handed over.
Panic and anger erupted the following day when the victims returned to the station to follow up on the case, only to be informed by the police that the suspect had miraculously escaped from custody.
The estate residents are now appealing to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police and higher authorities to investigate the officers involved at 33 Police Station, retrieve their stolen property, and ensure justice is served.
