By Odili Ogochukwu –
Security Operatives attached to ‘B’ Division Warri Surveillance Team had neutralized six suspected robbers during a gun battle in Warri, Delta State.
The robbers were reportedly said to be terrorizing the Igbudu Market/Old welfare area of Warri on July 01, 2022.
In a statement made available to newsmen by Delta State Police Command Spokesman, DSP Edafe Bright, five of the gunmen sustained serious gunshot injuries during a gun duel with police officers.
The statement added that two cut to size single barrel guns, three rounds of live cartridges and one dagger were recovered.
The statement reads in full, “3rd July, 2022.
PRESS RELEASE
“CP ARI MUHAMMED ALI ASSURES DELTA STATE RESIDENTS OF THEIR SAFETY AS OPERATIVES OF THE COMMAND ENGAGES SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS IN A GUN DUEL, NEUTRALIZES SIX, RECOVERS FOUR CUT TO SIZE LOCALLY MADE GUNS AND CARTRIDGES.
“1. On 01/07/2022, Operatives attached to ‘B’ Division Warri surveillance team while on Aberdeen patrol along lower Erejuwa Street in Warri, received a distress call, that suspected armed robbery gang were terrorizing Igbudu market/old welfare.
“The teams acting on this distress, moved to the scene where the hoodlums on sighting the police took to their heels, and the team went after them. Somewhere around old welfare road, the hoodlums went into a gun duel with the Operatives, but could not withstand the superior firepower of the police. During the gun duel, five of the hoodlums sustained serious gunshot injuries while, two (2) locally made cut-to-size single barrel guns, three (3) rounds of expended cartridges, three (3) rounds of live cartridges and one dagger were recovered from them. The injured suspects gave up the ghost while they were being taken to the hospital. Investigation in ongoing.
“2. Following series of complaints from members of the public, about the activities of some hoodlums who attack innocent residents in Asaba, especially around Ezenie axis, DLA, Summit Road, and other areas within the Asaba metropolis, rob them of their phones, money, and other belongings. The Commissioner of Police detailed some tactical teams on a round the clock patrol within Asaba and its environs, with a view to arresting those perpetrating the act.
“On 30/6/2022 at about 0230hrs, operatives of the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) while on visibility patrol along Ezenei Street Asaba, sighted four suspicious looking young men in a parked mini bus without registration number. When the team advanced towards them to find out their identity, they zoomed off towards Asaba-Benin Expressway.
“The operatives gave them a tireless chase till they got to Issele-Asagba in Aniocha South LGA. The team while trying to double cross the vehicle were faced with stiff resistance from the hoodlums, who ran into the Police van, abandoned the vehicle fled into adjoining bush while firing at the policemen.
“This confirmed the suspicion of the operatives, they followed them into the bush while exchanging gunshot. Consequently, one of the suspect sustained gunshot injury while others escaped with bullet wounds. One (1) cut-to-size english double barrel, one (1) locally made pistol, six (6) expended cartridges, two (2) live cartridges and a big iron cutter were recovered. The injured suspect was taken to Agbor General Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment. Effort is on top gear arrest the other fleeing members of the gang while Investigation is ongoing,” it said.
