Police arrest 4 soldiers, NSCDC officer, others over robbery
A total of 13 individuals, including four soldiers and a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, have been apprehended by the police in Rivers State.
The arrests were made in connection to alleged armed robbery, hijacking of food trucks, and diverting their cargo to different destinations.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokeswoman in the state, revealed this information in a statement on Monday.
The arrests came after a detailed investigation was initiated following the apprehension of suspects involved in a burglary at a private warehouse in Elimgbu community, Ohio/Akpor LGA.
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According to Iringe-Koko, two of the initial suspects were identified as a corporal in the Nigerian Army serving in Delta State and an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps serving in Kabba, Kogi State.
The detained security personnel reportedly confessed to deserting their duties to partake in criminal activities in Rivers State.
Further investigations exposed a broader criminal network participating in armed robbery, hijacking, and diversion of goods. The groups were found to be behind the hijacking of trailers filled with various items like fertilizers, imported clothing, and POP cement.
The police successfully recovered stolen goods and a white Toyota Hilux utilized by the gang during their operations.
Moreover, the four soldiers implicated in the incident have been dismissed by the Nigerian Army and subsequently transferred to the police for legal proceedings.
