Nnaya Eziyi, Umuahia
Suspected leader of a notorious armed robbery/kidnap gang which has been allegedly terrorizing Abia State and its neighbors, one Samuel Kalu (alias Obere) has been reportedly killed in a cross fire between the gang and the police.
The Police said the gang is suspected of alleged killing of one Chuks Mbaeri Okebata, a former US-based army officer, two police men, and eight members of the Abia State Vigilante Service (Bakkasi) at Aba at different times and dates.
This was contained in a press statement issued by DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Commissioner of Police Abia State Command, which was obtained by our correspondent in Umuahia.
According to the statement, Kalu had been arrested by a team of detectives attached to Anti-Kidnapping Section of the Criminal Investigation Department (D7), Umuahia on a tip-off in Okai Item in Bende Local Government Area.
The statement said the suspect was killed in a gun battle between the police and members of the gang while he was leading to police to their hide-out along Ukpakiri-Ikot Ekpene road to arrest them and recover their
Disclosing that the police patrol van was riddled with bullets during the encounter, it added that the Command Tactical Response Squad had been drafted to assist in tracking down the remaining members of the gang.
“ Members of the public are enjoined to volunteer information to the police or any other security agencies on anyone found with bullet wounds, please,’ the statement concluded.
