The Abia police command said it arrested a dismissed police officer, Francis William, while attempting to steal an electricity transformer belonging to Aba Power Company at National High School Port-Harcourt Road, Aba.

The commissioner of police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, said this on Wednesday, while addressing newsmen in Umuahia on the activities and successes recorded by the command from July to September.

Mr Onwuemelie, represented by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, said that Mr William, 34, was arrested at about 1800hrs on Sept. 11, by operatives from Ndiegoro Divisional Police Headquarters, Aba, following credible information.

He said that the man was caught dressed in police camouflage, putting on a fez cap, and in possession of a fake police warrant card.

“He was arrested, and the stolen property was recovered.

“The case has been charged to court, and the suspect is remanded in correctional custody,” he said.

The Abia police chief said that the command also arrested other suspects in connection with armed robbery, kidnapping, vandalism of government property, among others.

He said during the period, several suspects were arrested and various exhibits were recovered.

“Some of the exhibits include firearms of different specifications, vehicles, railway sleepers and illicit drugs.

“Also, some kidnap victims and trafficked children were safely rescued.”

According to him, all the cases have been duly charged to court.

Another suspect, 35-year old mechanic, Chukwuemeka London, told journalists he purchased a locally made long single-barrel gun, which he was using as a hunter.

Mr London further claimed that the gun, also recovered from him, belonged to his late grandfather.

Mr Onwuemelie said that the suspect was arrested at about 1400hrs, following a report made to the Ugwunagbo Police Station that he was illegally in possession of firearms.

He said that the suspect and the exhibits were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.

The command also arrested one Princewill Jumbo, 49, for allegedly purchasing a reportedly stolen Sienna space bus, with Reg. No. (Enugu) JRV 857 AA, from one Chukwuma Egwim, 40.

The state police boss said that both suspects were arrested on Oct. 2, at about 1100 hours, following credible information

Mr Jumbo told journalists that he purchased the vehicle from Mr Egwim, unknown to him that it was stolen.

(NAN)