A dismissed soldier identified as Ifesinachi Nwankwo has been apprehended by the Enugu State Police Command for murder and armed robbery.

The State Commissioner of Police, Abdurahman Mohammed, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the dismissed soldier who is 24-years-old, joined the Nigerian Army in 2017 and served in Damboa, Maiduguri. The police boss said Ifesinachi reportedly went Absent With Out Leave (AWOL) after his base came under constant Boko Haram attacks in 2018. The commissioner further revealed that the soldier-turned-armed robber was arrested alongside one of his gang members, Raphael Nworie, 27.

Mohammed said the duo and others at large were responsible for the murder of Ominyi Chukwu, an Assistant Superintendant of Police after they attacked Ozalla Division of the command at Agro-Allied Product Filling station along Obe/Agbani Road, Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State.

The police boss said the armed robbery suspects also carted away two assault rifles and injured a police inspector, Princewill Ebiriem, after the attack. The suspects also allegedly attacked and killed the Chief Security Officer of Amodu-Awkunanaw Community, Mr Onyebuchi Aninwagu, on 19th July 2020 and were alleged to have also made away with his pump-action gun.

Mohammed said items recovered from the suspects include: 6 firearms including an AK 47 rifle, 15 ammunition, 36 live cartridges, 1 TV set, 1 mobile phone, and 1 cutlass. He added that they would be charged to court once investigations have been concluded.