The mastermind of the foiled robbery of a first-generation bank in the Mpape area of Abuja has been arrested by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
The Herald gathered that the command arrested the suspect identified as Ernest at his hideout.
A statement issued on Thursday, January 2, by the public relations officer of the FCT police command, DSP Ajugunri Manzah, confirmed Ewim’s arrest.
The police had earlier arrested four suspects and gunned down the fourth member of the robbery gang identified as Patrick during the operation.
The statement read: “Following the on-going investigation in the last Saturday’s foiled robbery attempt at a bank in Mpape, operatives of the FCT police command Special Anti-Robbery Squad have arrested one Ernest Ewim ‘m’ 29 years a member of the notorious armed robbery gang who has been at large.”
“With this arrest, the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the foiled robbery attempt are now five (5) :- Ernest Ewim ‘m’ 29years Larry Ehizo ‘m’ 30 years, Princewill Obinna ‘m’ 24years, Timothy Joe ‘m’ 21years, and Elijah David ‘m’ 19 years.
“The command reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensure the protection of lives and property and provide FCT residents with quality service delivery. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigation.”
According to the statement, the suspect who played a major role in the foiled robbery attempt was arrested by the team of police detectives at his hideout in Katampe1 on Wednesday, January 1, at about 1600hrs.
Earlier, The Herald reported that the suspects in custody who were arrested by police officers in a foiled robbery attack at First Bank, Abuja have indicted some bank employees as their informants.
Following series of interrogation, the suspects revealed the bank staff invited them to rob the bank. Some of the staff have also been taken into custody.
The robbery attack was foiled by collaborative efforts of officers of the FCT Police Command and soldiers from the Guards Brigade. One suspect died during the exchange of gunfire and four suspects were taken into custody.
The suspects were trapped in the banking hall with the unexpected arrival of police officers and soldiers. They stayed in the banking hall for two hours until security officers smoked them out with teargas.
The suspects confessed the bank staff told them to rob the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) which had just been loaded with huge amounts of money to meet the financial needs of customers during the festive season.