By Ovedhe Hezekiah.
Efforts of men of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Delta State Police Command in combating crime in the State yielded positive results, as the Police arrested suspected kidnappers, cultists, recovered ammunition, and two stolen vehicles.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen, stressing that, “CP Wale Abass psc reiterates the Command’s commitment to an effective, intelligence driven, and community based policing to ensure that Deltans sleep with two eyes closed.”
The statement read in parts; “Sequel to the kidnap of Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore on 27/04/2023 in Ughellli town, and a ransom of one million naira was paid before their release, the Commissioner of Police Delta state, CP Wale Abass _psc_ directed the Command Decoy squad to embark on an intelligence led investigation and ensure that the kidnappers are arrested and brought to book.
“In compliance with the CP’s directive, on 11/05/2023, 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. On 12/05/2023, at about 0230hrs, the suspect led the operatives to Ejewu community, Udu LGA and arrested the syndicate driver, one Ejiro Peter ‘m’ aged 25yrs, a native of Kokori community in Ethiope East LGA.
“They confessed to their involvements in series of armed robbery, kidnapping operations in Ughelli and Warri which includes the kidnap of Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore on 27/04/2023, at ughellli town and a ransom of one million naira (#1,000,000.00) was paid before the couple was released.”
According to the statement; “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 statement further added; “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.
“The Commissioner of Police Delta State command, CP Wale Abass, assures residents that the command will be working round the clock to ensure that anyone terrorizing the state will be arrested and brought to justice.”
