How notorious armed robber and his gang trailed a customer to Zenith Bank, Owerri where he had gone to withdraw 50m

There was wild jubilation at the Imo state police command on September 28, as officers celebrated the death of a 27-year-old notorious armed robber, Ihechi Nwankwo, who had been terrorizing the state for a very long time.

The suspect, who had been on the wanted list, was accused of masterminding a lot of armed robbery attacks in the state. 

See previous report here;
A statement issued on Tuesday, by spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Andrew Enwerem, said on that day, the Control Room was alerted of a robbery attack along Wetheral road Owerri.

"A customer of the Wetheral road branch of Zenith Bank Plc had gone to the bank to withdraw the sum of fifty million naira (50, 000, 000. 00). On their way along Wetheral road, they were confronted by a dare-devil armed robbery gang operating with an Ash Colored Toyota Corolla Car with Reg No. ABJ 951 AA that blocked the convoy and immediately opened fire on the Police escorts.

The Police escorts who engaged the robbers in a shoot-out foiled the attempt to dispossess the customer of the money. In the process, three policemen received gunshot injuries though not life threatening and are now receiving treatment. The hoodlums escaped the scene with their vehicle riddled with bullets. In an attempt to ensure the apprehension of the hoodlums, the neighboring states were contacted to be on the lookout.

Subsequently the hoodlums were intercepted at Umuhaia, Abia State where they engaged the operatives in a gun duel. One of the gang members was gunned down while others escaped with bullet injuries and the Ash Colour Toyota Corolla car used by the hoodlums was also recovered.

The deceased member of the gang was later transferred to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Imo State Command for further investigation. He was however later identified to be one Ihechi Nwankwo ‘M’ 27yrs of Amaumara in Ezinihitte Mbaise L.G.A of Imo State who has been on the wanted list of the command for his involvement in series of armed robbery operations in the state which include:

1) The robbery of Eight million naira (8, 000, 000. 00) withdrawn by a customer at Access Bank, Ahiara Junction on 18/08/2017.
2) The robbery of Six hundred and fifty thousand naira (650, 000. 00) withdrawn at Diamond Bank, Ahiara Junction by one Jovita Enwerem at gun point on 21/06/2017.

Deceased suspect was also further identified by one Chibuike Nwankwo ‘M’ senior brother to the suspect and Chukwudi Obuiwanne ‘M’ residing at No. 150 Nwadikor Street Port-Harcourt who are already in Police custody in connection with the series of armed robbery operations.

"Investigations has commenced and efforts being made to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang"