The Enugu State Police Command has secured a five-year prison sentence for a man convicted of phone snatching and robbery. In a separate case, a 29-year-old man has been remanded over the alleged theft of whisky from a supermarket in Enugu.
Police identified the convicted man as 34-year-old Ejike Nnam and the second suspect as Richard Chukwuma. Police Public Relations Officer SP Daniel Ndukwe disclosed the developments in a statement issued on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
According to the statement, the court sentenced Nnam to three years for conspiracy and five years for robbery. Both sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve them at the same time. The case adds to recent crime reports, including the arrest of 300 suspects during a police raid in the FCT.
Phone Snatcher Pleads Guilty, Receives Five-Year Sentence
Police said Nnam allegedly snatched an iPhone XR valued at ₦240,000 from a woman along Bisalla Road, Enugu. The incident reportedly occurred at about 8 p.m. on October 8, 2026.
The statement identified Nnam as a resident of an uncompleted building at Nkpokiti, Enugu. He allegedly committed the offence alongside an accomplice who remains at large. The police have not provided further details about the accomplice.
Officers arrested Nnam and arraigned him before the Enugu North Magistrate Court on October 9. He pleaded guilty to the charges, after which the court convicted and sentenced him.
The police said the outcome highlighted the importance of prompt investigations and diligent prosecution. Authorities have also reported other criminal cases involving suspected theft and alleged wrongdoing, including the arrest of a suspect over threats to kidnap and kill a family in Oyo.
Suspected Whisky Thief Remanded in Enugu
In a separate incident, police arrested Chukwuma at a supermarket in Enugu at about 6:50 p.m. on October 7, 2026. The 29-year-old allegedly stole a bottle of Jameson Green Whisky valued at ₦30,150.
According to the police statement, Chukwuma allegedly confessed during interrogation to previously stealing 15 bottles of the same whisky from the supermarket. The police did not identify the business where the alleged theft occurred.
Officers arraigned Chukwuma on October 9, and the court ordered his remand at the Enugu Correctional Centre. Unlike Nnam, Chukwuma has not been convicted in the case described by police.
His remand does not establish guilt. The allegation must still go through the appropriate legal process, consistent with the presumption of innocence.
The case comes amid other reports of alleged theft and suspected criminal activity in Nigeria. These include the South African authorities’ handover of six Nigerians to the United States over alleged romance-scam fraud.
Enugu Police Commissioner Commends Court
Enugu State Commissioner of Police CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa commended the Chief Magistrate for the prompt handling of Nnam’s case. He said timely adjudication could help strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
Giwa also praised the New Haven Police Division and the prosecution team for their work on the cases. He urged officers to maintain thorough investigations and ensure that criminal cases receive appropriate legal attention.
The commissioner called for the sustained and speedy conclusion of police cases before courts across the state. He said timely proceedings remain important to the administration of justice.
The police have also urged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activities promptly. Public cooperation can help officers receive information about suspected crimes and respond appropriately.
Residents have previously received other public safety updates, including a report on the Enugu lawmaker’s call for safer measures after a Coal Camp drowning.
Police Reaffirm Commitment to Investigations
Giwa reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to investigating criminal allegations and prosecuting cases in accordance with the law. He also stressed the need for diligence throughout the legal process.
The two cases have different outcomes so far. Nnam pleaded guilty and received concurrent prison sentences, while Chukwuma remains on remand over an allegation of theft.
The police statement was signed by SP Daniel Ndukwe, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, on October 10, 2026. It did not provide additional information about the alleged accomplice in the robbery or the next court date in Chukwuma’s case.
Enugu residents can also follow other public safety developments, including the arrest of a mother over alleged abuse of her seven-year-old daughter in Anambra.
Other reports involving investigations and calls for accountability include the family’s demand for an Inspector-General of Police investigation into an Anambra nursing student’s death.
Police have also reported efforts to rescue vulnerable people and investigate alleged criminal networks, as seen in the rescue of 17 children by Oyo State Police.
Residents can follow related Enugu developments through reports on the government’s warning over the state’s poster ban and security agencies’ assurances ahead of the local government election.
Other public affairs coverage includes the Enugu government’s efforts to sustain development gains and the NACCIMA’s comments on security and Enugu’s economic ambitions.
For more updates from the state, readers can also see reports on the Enugu building collapse, the police deployment for Enugu local government elections and [the peaceful conduct of the Enugu local government election
