In a major breakthrough, the Police Flying Squad has successfully apprehended a gang of four armed men suspected of being involved in a series of mobile money robberies.
The arrests were made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Crime Intelligence directorate and Nsangi Police, who worked tirelessly to track down the criminals. Deputy Police Spokesperson, Polly Namaye, revealed the details of the operation, stating,
"After extensive investigations, the Flying Squad Unit, in collaboration with Nsangi Police, managed to apprehend the armed gang responsible for targeting mobile money operators."
The breakthrough also resulted in the recovery of a stolen police AK-47 rifle, which had been taken from an officer attached to the Nsangi Police Division on May 29, 2023. The police had been investigating a series of mobile money incidents since then, with one victim surviving an attempted murder when they tried to raise an alarm.
The urgency of the situation was further highlighted earlier this week when CCTV footage of a mobile money shop robbery in Mubende went viral on social media. Tragically, Officer Olaya Joseph lost his life during the pursuit of the gang, having made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the line of duty.
The suspects seized a gun magazine that belonged to the deceased officer.
The successful operations conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday led to the arrest of the four suspects, who are believed to be key members of the criminal syndicate. Additionally, the security operatives managed to recover the motor vehicle that was used in the commission of the robberies.
"Through our analysis, interrogations, and thorough examination of various crime scenes, we have confirmed that the recovered firearm was indeed used in multiple recent robberies committed by this syndicate." Deputy Police Spokesperson Polly Namaye stated.
Namaye reassured the public that the police are fully committed to ensuring the safety of individuals targeted by mobile money robberies.
"We will leave no stone unturned in bringing all those involved in these criminal activities to justice," she affirmed.
The successful arrests and recovery of the stolen police firearm serve as a strong message to criminals, emphasizing the unwavering dedication of law enforcement agencies in Uganda to combatting such offenses and protecting the public.
The swift action taken by the Police Flying Squad, in collaboration with other units, reflects their commitment to maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law.
