By Philomina Brando
Residents of Akiyi community in Umulokpa, Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State have apprehended a suspected armed robber who had been on the police wanted list, after he was found in possession of a pump-action gun at a market square.
The suspect, identified as Friday Onwujekwu, popularly known as “Nwatico,” was reportedly caught at the Eke Market Square in Akiyi on Friday afternoon.
According to a police situation report obtained on Sunday, the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on March 13, 2026, following a distress call that residents had captured a suspected robber and were assaulting him.
Sources said the suspect had earlier been declared wanted by the Enugu State Police Command after allegedly attacking a member of a local neighbourhood watch group and carting away his pump-action gun.
The report indicated that on January 10, 2026, the suspect allegedly attacked Okechukwu Dennis Okoaku at Awkunato Village in Uzo Uwani LGA and dispossessed him of his pump-action gun before fleeing the area.
After several weeks on the run, Onwujekwu was reportedly sighted at the Eke Market Square while still in possession of the stolen weapon, leading to his capture by residents.
A police source said the suspect was being beaten by an irate mob when officers arrived at the scene.
“The suspect who had been on the run was caught at Eke Market Square in Akiyi Umulokpa while armed with the same pump-action gun he earlier stole. He was being lynched by an irate mob before police intervened,” the source said.
The Divisional Police Officer in the area reportedly mobilised a patrol team to the scene and rescued the suspect from the mob.
However, the suspect had already sustained varying degrees of injuries from the beating.
He was initially taken to the Police Clinic in Enugu for treatment but was later referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, where he is currently receiving medical care.
Police sources said the case has been transferred to the command’s Crack Squad in Enugu for further investigation.
Security sources, however, noted that the general security situation in the state remains calm, with police sustaining patrols and surveillance across communities.