The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended Nicholas Nweke, a man suspected to be an armed robber who allegedly targets unsuspecting members of the public at bus stops and other crowded locations.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the suspect was arrested while attempting to rob a victim.
According to Ikenga, items recovered from the suspect include a pump-action rifle, five expended cartridges, one Itel mobile phone, and ₦1,200 in cash.
He explained that operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, effected the arrest on December 25 after the victim put up a brave resistance during the incident, which occurred late in the evening.
According to him, officers who responded to the distress call met the victim engaged in a struggle with the suspect over a firearm, leading to the suspect’s disarmament and arrest with police assistance.
The statement read in part, “Following the timely intervention of operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, and the act of bravery displayed by a victim in the late hours of December 25, 2025, one Nicholas Nweke, a suspected armed robber, was arrested.
“The team also recovered a pump-action rifle, five expended cartridges, one Itel mobile phone, and a cash sum of N1,200, respectively.
“The police responding team met the victim struggling with the suspect over a firearm at the scene. Consequently, the suspect was successfully disarmed and arrested with the assistance of the police.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect approached the victim and demanded his phone and other valuables. Upon refusal, the suspect allegedly fired shots, during which pellets reportedly struck two unsuspecting individuals.
“The wounded were taken to a nearby hospital and are currently stable and responding to treatment.”
Ikenga added that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for thorough investigation, noting that further updates would be communicated in due course.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had earlier reported on December 21 that the Anambra State Police Command arrested five suspected armed robbers who allegedly posed as vigilante operatives to rob passengers aboard a shuttle bus along Ring Road, Nibo, in Awka South Local Government Area.
The police spokesperson stated that two pump-action guns, five live cartridges, an ash-coloured shuttle bus, face masks, number plates, and other incriminating items were recovered from the suspects, who were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following investigations into criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.