Finally, Abia Police Kill Armed Robbery Gang Leader Terrorising Umuahia, Environs

Operatives of the Abia State Police Command on Tuesday gunned down one Sampson Iheukwumere Nwokocha, a notorious leader of an armed robbery gang that had been terrorising Umuahia, the state capital, and its environs, and even mounted operations in neighbouring Imo State.

The body of the crime kingpin, who had been declared wanted by both Abia and Imo State police commands, was displayed at the headquarters of Abia State police command where the people had a glimpse of the gang leader, who operated with the nickname of ‘Grave’.

The scene caused gridlock on Bende road, location of the state command headquarters, while policemen at the entrance gate faced a hectic time trying to keep at bay youths surging to have a full view of the lifeless body of the gang leader.

 

Abia State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ene Okon, told journalists that Nwokocha was killed "in an encounter with a tactical team of the command with superior fire power.

He said Nwokocha was recently released from prison but organised and led his gang to snatch cars, raid businesses, including hotels, filling stations, World Bankruptcy housing estate and was even "planning to attack the Umuahia Correctional Service Centre in order to liberate his mother and other people."

The CP stated that it was Nwokocha's gang that killed one of the policemen and took his rifle when the hoodlums invaded a hotel in Umuahia on November 6, 2019, to rob staff and guests.

He further stated that the gang leader had also on November 10, 2019, raided a filling station along Bank Road in Umuahia and robbed customers and fuel attendants.

"On different occasions, he led a gang that snatched vehicles within and outside the capital city of Umuahia," the CP said.

Okon said the dead gang leader, whose chest had a big hole apparently made by police bullet, hailed from Mgbaja Ossah in Umuahia Local Government Area and had been on the wanted list because of his criminal activities.