Police parade 72-year-old man who allegedly manufactures, hires arms to robbers

The Anambra state Police Command has arrested a 72-year-old man, Obi Benjamin, in Ihiala Council Area of the state, who allegedly manufactures, repairs, and hires out arms to robbery gangs

The suspect, a local arms manufacturer, was arrested alongside his three children; Mr Chukwudi Obi (30), Mr Tochukwu Obi and Mr Cheta Obi, who were said to be cultists and armed robbers.

Mr Garba Umar, Police Commissioner in Anambra state, who paraded the suspects alongside others at the Command Headquarters on Tuesday, disclosed that arms were also recovered from them.

Items recovered include: one Berretta Pump Action Gun with No a 302-CAL 12, 84 Assorted Single and Double Barrel Guns, 10 live cartridges and other working tools used in servicing guns.

Umar also said on July 20, the command arrested Mr Ojiakor Chike (25), a suspected notorious cultist and a robbery gang member who operated along Uli-Ihiala axis.

He said members of the gang were of Aiye and Vickings Confraternity.

“Discreet investigation led to the arrest of his accomplices namely, Mr Izuchukwu Ikueze (25) Mr Nwabueze Ikwueze (27) Mr Chukwudi Obi (30), Mr Tochukwu Obi and Mr Cheta Obi,” the Commissioner of Police said.

Also paraded was 30-year-old John Okwudili, an alleged internet fraudster who specializes in impersonating Gov. Willie Obiano. He was arrested on July 9 in Delta state.

“He is also involved in using fake facebook account and impersonating prominent persons including that of His Excellency Governor Willie Obiano in order to defraud his victims,” he said.

The CP continued, “Suspects who conspired and robbed one Dr. Ojiakor Samuel Chukwudi of Gerald specialist hospital Okpuno and carted away his handsets and other valuables they have voluntarily confessed to the crime.

“The command is making a clarion call on the good people of Anambra State including parents and all residents in the State to cooperate and make the State safe and secure,” he said.

Speaking to newsmen, the 72-year-old Obi said he has been servicing dane-guns for hunters since 1970 and never worked for armed robbers.

The suspect said he is a member of Imo and Anambra Hunters Association Orlu branch and only worked for his colleagues, who are local hunters.

He said he was arrested with his sons who live in Abuja, Onitsha and Ihiala respectively after a burial for which they were all asked to compulsorily come home.

“I started this job since after the war. Everybody in my area knows that I repair dane guns for village hunters, I am a member Anambra–Imo Hunters Association and I have my identity card and certificate.

“It is not true that I repair guns for cultists and robbers because I have been a Christian since August 1973, I do it with honesty and don’t touch any evil.

“I don’t know why my children were arrested, only that they were around when I was being harassed,” he said.