Odili Ogochukwu –
The Delta State Police Command has assured the residents of the State of total safety, saying that it will work round the clock in ensuring that hoodlums operating in the state will be arrested and brought to justice.
The state commissioner of police, CP Wale Abass, gave the assurance after the command arrested suspected kidnappers and cultists making life uncomfortable for Ughelli dwellers and other parts of the state.
Abass explained that the Command is committed to efficient policing in ensuring adequate security of deltans based on effective intelligence from the people.
According to a statement made available to Africa Investigative Magazine by command’s image-maker, DSP Edafe Bright, Delta State police recorded tremendous success in fight against crimes after it arrested suspected kidnappers, cultists and recovered some weapons.
Edafe listed the recovered items to include local baretta pistol, one revolver pistol, two double barrels, and two pump action.
Others were sixteen rounds of live cartridges, and two suspected stolen vehicles.
According to him, the operatives of the Command Decoy, upon the CP directives has on May 11, 2023, arrested one Emmanuel James ‘m’ aged 32 suspected to be the leader of the gang that abducted Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore on April 27, 2023, in Ughelli and collected the sum of one million naira for their release.
Edafe said, “at about 2315hrs, operatives of the command Decoy squad led by the commander, Asp Julius Robinson acting on credible intelligence gathered, embarked on a sting operation and arrested one Emmanuel James ‘m’ aged 32yrs of Otor-Udu, Ughelli South LGA, who is suspected to be the leader of the gang.”
According to him, on May 05, 2023, at about 0230hrs, the suspect led the operatives to Ejewu community, Udu L.G.A, wherein the syndicate driver, Ejiro Peter ‘m’ aged 25yrs, a native of Kokori community in Ethiope East LGA was arrested.
Edafe added that the suspects admitted their involvements in series of armed robbery, kidnapping operations in Ughelli and Warri including kidnapping Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore on 27/04/2023, at ughellli town and collecting a ransom of one million naira (N1,000,000.00).
The statement reads in part, “on 12/05/2023, the suspects led the operatives to another notorious member of their criminal gang whose real name is unknown but fondly called “oh lord” at Egbike area in Udu. The suspect, upon sighting the police, engaged them in a gun duel and escaped through the ceiling of his apartment with bullet injuries.
“When his apartment was searched, a bag containing a locally fabricated pistol and three (03) rounds of 7.62 AK47 live ammunition were recovered. Manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.
“On 05/05/2023, at about 1730hrs, operatives of the Command State Anti Cult Unit (SACU), while on a joint operation with Dragon patrol, safer highway, raiders squad, RRS at Afisere /Ughelli, they arrested the duo of Tega Precious’ m’ aged 28 yrs and Ebi Marvelloveous ‘m’ aged 27 yrs, one revolver pistol two live ammunition were recovered from them. Suspects confessed to be members of Neo black movement (NBM) cult group.
“The suspects led the operatives to their hideout, where two pump action guns, two double barrel guns, one single barrel gun, and sixteen live cartridges, were recovered. Manhunt for the other members of the gang is ongoing.
“The Command recorded another success on 12/5/2023 in Agbarho when operatives of Agbarho Police station were on stop and search duty when they sighted a red GLK Mercedes benz and flagged down the vehicle, the suspect on sighting the Police quickly highlighted from the Benz GLK 350 with reg. number WWR 441 MD and escaped into the bush.
“The vehicle was recovered to the station and searched during which, a phone number which turned out to be the phone number of owner of the vehicle was seen, and when he was contacted, he confirmed that the car was stolen from him at gun point on 11/5/2023.
“Similarly, on 11/5/2023 at about 1300 hours, operatives of Dragon 19 and 20, while on stop and search duty along Ughelli-Patani expressway, flagged down a Toyota camry with reg no. ABC 810 DK, the suspect jumped out from the vehicle and escaped into the bush. The vehicle was recovered, and investigations so far revealed that it was snatched at gun point on 10/5/2023 in Sapele. Manhunt for the suspects is ongoing.”
