The Edo state police have captured eight individuals believed to be involved in the theft of transformers, 12 tyres, and a truck.

The State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, disclosed this during a parade of the suspects in Benin City.

The suspects, identified as Lazarus Ifeanyi, Nnamdi Osita, Celestial Eze, Lucky Nwosu, Obidiwe Ekene, Uche Onu, Okorie, Ekene Onyedika, and Frances Okafor, were apprehended for armed robbery and malicious damage.

Commissioner Adegboye revealed that the arrests followed a petition from Collins Oboh Osamuyimen, reporting armed men invading the Colosa Concrete Pole Company in Evbuomoma Community, Benin City. The assailants allegedly tied up security guards and made off with two electrical transformers, a long Scania truck, and 12 tyres.

“Lazarus Ifeanyi was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State,” Adegboye said, “and confessed to purchasing the stolen truck from Okorie Ekene Onyedika, known for reselling stolen vehicles.”

He continued, “Ifeanyi also admitted buying newly branded Scania trucks with a 12-tyre capacity from Frances Okafor, implicating four other gang members arrested in Onitsha.”

The suspects reportedly confessed to being part of a notorious armed robbery gang, involved in stealing empty gas cylinders in Akure, Ondo State.

These stolen items were then allegedly offloaded at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, by Frances Okafor’s brother, who owns a shop there.

Adegboye stated that the suspects were preparing for another robbery in Imo State before their arrest.

“All stolen items are now in police custody, and the suspects will face charges in court,” Adegboye concluded, highlighting the swift action taken by law enforcement to address criminal activities in the state.