The police Command in Ebonyi State has neutralised a criminal kingpin terrorising the Iyonu community in the Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesman for the command, SP Joshua Ukandu, said on Wednesday in Abakaliki that the achievement was possible with the operatives of the command’s Crack Squad.

Mr Ukandu said the syndicate’s kingpin, Isaiah Okoronkwo, had been on the command’s wanted list for some time.

According to him, in continuation of sustained onslaught against violent crimes, the Ebonyi State police command recorded another breakthrough.

He said, “This followed the recent surge in armed robbery incidents and criminal activities in Iyonu community in Ishielu Local Government Area. On August 29, the operatives of the command’s Crack Squad, acting on credible intelligence, launched a clearance operation on the criminals’ hideout located in Iyonu Forest. During the operation, the hoodlums engaged the operatives in a gun battle, but the police gallantly responded, subduing the criminals.

“In the ensuing encounter, the syndicate’s kingpin, Isaiah Okoronkwo, who had long been on the command’s wanted list was neutralised, with two AK-47 rifles recovered during the operation.”

Mr Ukandu said that the state Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya commended the operatives for their professionalism, courage, and painstaking intelligence work that led to the success.

He quoted Mr Uche-Anya as also assuring residents that the command remains unwavering in its mandate to protect lives and property. 

(NAN)