Delta Police records massive successes in fight against kidnappers, cultists

…Tecovers locally fabricated baretta pistol, revolver pistol, two double barrel guns

… two pump action guns, 16 rounds of live cartridges, two suspected stolen vehicles.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Abass, said that the command under his watch has recorded massive successes in its fight against kidnappers, cultists and other criminals.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bright Edafe, said that the CP reiterated the Command’s commitment to an effective, intelligence driven, and community-based policing to ensure that Deltans sleep with two eyes closed.

Reeling off achievements recorded by the command, Edafe said  sequel to the kidnap of Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore on 27^th of April 2023, in Ughellli town, and a ransom of N1000,0000 paid before their release, the CP. Abass had directed the Command Decoy squad to embark on an intelligence-led investigation and ensure that the kidnappers were arrested and brought to book.

Edafe said: “In compliance with the CP’s directive,  on 11^th of May, 2023, at about 11:15 PM, operatives of the command Decoy squad led by the commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Julius Robinson, acting on credible intelligence gathered, embarked on a sting operation, which led to the arrest of Emmanuel James, 32,  of  Otor-Udu,  Ughelli South Local Government Area, who is suspected to be the leader of the gang.

“On 12^th of May, at about 02:30PM, the suspect led the operatives to Ejewu community, Udu LGA, and arrested the syndicate driver, Ejiro Peter, 25, a native of Kokori community in Ethiope East LGA. They confessed to their involvement in a series of armed robbery, and kidnapping operations in Ughelli and Warri which includes the kidnap of Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore on the 27^th of April, at Ughellli town and a ransom of N1,000,000.00 paid before the couple was released.

“On 12^th of May, 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 rounds of 7.62 AK47 live ammunition were recovered. Manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.”

Similarly on the 5^th of May at about 5:30, 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, arrested the duo of Tega Precious, 28 and Ebi Marvellous, 27 and recovered one revolver pistol and two live ammunition. The suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Neo Black Movement (NBM) cult group.

Edafe said: “The suspects led the operatives to their hideout, where two pump action guns, two double barrel guns, one single barrel gun, and 16 live cartridges, were recovered. Manhunt for the other members of the gang is ongoing.”

The Command recorded another success on the 12^th of May, in Agbarho when operatives of Agbarho Police station were on stop and search duty and 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 registration number WWR 441 MD and escaped into the bush.

The vehicle was recovered and taken to the station and searched during which, a phone number which turned out to be the phone number of the owner of the vehicle was seen, and when he was contacted, he confirmed that the car was stolen from him at gunpoint on 11^th of May 2023.

Edafe further stated: “On 11^th of May, 2023, at about 1:PM, operatives of Dragon 19 and 20, while on stop and search duty along Ughelli-Patani Expressway, flagged down a Toyota Camry with registration number 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 gunpoint on the 10^th of May, in Sapele. Manhunt for the suspects is ongoing.

“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.”