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.
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