The police command in Enugu State has arrested three suspected criminals and recovered firearms, ammunition and 15 motor batteries within the Enugu metropolis.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed in a statement on Monday in Enugu that police operatives serving in Emene Division, in collaboration with citizens, recovered a Beretta pistol with 36 rounds of 0.9mm calibre ammunition on June 16 around 7:00 p.m.

Mr Ndukwe said the firearms and ammunition were recovered from a small bush where they had been abandoned around Airport Corner, by Old Abakaliki Road, Emene, in Enugu.

“The exhibits were suspected to have been abandoned by criminal elements on the hot trail of the police operatives for allegations of armed robberies,” he said.

The spokesman said that in another operation, three suspects were arrested by police operatives serving in the Awkunanaw Division in Enugu on June 7, around 2:00 p.m.

He said their arrest followed a covert operation by the operatives upon receiving complaints about the theft of several motor vehicle batteries at a construction site in the Awkunanaw axis of Enugu.

Mr Ndukwe said the suspects, who were initially arrested during the act, had confessed, upon interrogation, to having stolen many batteries and sold them to another suspect who was later nabbed.

“Fifteen batteries, including those of articulated and other motor vehicles and tricycles, were recovered from them,” he said.

Mr Ndukwe said that the suspects would be arraigned and prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.

(NAN)