…Deploys Special Team To Ughelli, Arrests, Identify Robbers, Kidnappers And Recovers Arms
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP, Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, has said the command has made huge breakthrough fighting crime in the state with the arrests and identification of armed robbers, kidnappers terrorising Ughelli and environs.
The Commissioner stated this when he briefed the media on April 11, 2024, at the Force Headquarters, Asaba.
While welcoming the press, CP, Abaniwonda said; it is with great pleasure that I address you today on the achievements made by Delta Command within the period under review.
“My primary assignment is to provide adequate security for the good people of Delta State and to ensure the State is safe for all.”
He noted that though, the challenges are obvious and enormous, but with the support of members of the public and other security agencies, they will be surmounted.
He said; in regards to the recent upsurge in crime such as kidnapping in Ughelli, “I wish to inform you that a special team has been deployed to Ughelli to work in synergy with the DPO, and I am glad to inform you that we are already achieving result as some of the suspected kidnappers terrorizing that area has been identified, arrested and their arms recovered, while other gang members are being trailed.”
Enumerated below are some of the breakthrough the Command recorded within the period under review;
1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS INCLUDING A FAKE PASTOR, RECOVERY OF ONE PUMP ACTION GUN, ONE BERETTA PISTOL, ONE LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE GUN AND THREE LIVE AMMUNITION: Due to the rate of kidnapping in Ughelli and Environs, I detailed a special team to work in synergy with the newly posted DPO in Ughelli Police Division with a clear mandate to fish out the faceless kidnappers, and ensure that they are all brought to book. Consequently on 8/4/2024, the operatives on the special assignment working on credible intelligence stormed one of the hotels in Udu LGA and arrested a notorious kidnapper. Upon his arrest suspect gave useful information that led to the recovery of One Pump action gun loaded with four live cartridges, one Beretta pistol and three rounds of 9mm ammunition.
2. RECOVERY OF THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE BOTTLES OF CSP CODEINE, FORTY-FOUR BOTTLES OF CSC CODEINE, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SACHETS OF TRAMDADOL, AND THIRTY-THREE SACHETS OF SWINOL: On the 6/4/2024, at about 1715 hours, operatives of Eagle-Net Special squad while on routine patrol along Asaba-Agbor expressway Isele-Asagba, flagged down a white Toyota Hiace Bus driven by one Sunday Eze ‘m’ aged 53yrs, the bus and the driver were subjected to a search during which Three Hundred and Seventy-Five bottles of CSP codeine, Forty-Four bottles of CSC codeine, One Hundred and Twenty sachets of tramadol, and thirty-three sachets of Swinol were recovered from him. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
3. FOILED CULT ACTIVITIES/INITIATION AND RECOVERY OF ONE ENGLISH MADE BERETTA PISTOL: On the 10/4/2024, at about 1630hours, acting on credible information that Eiye confraternity cult group were holding a meeting in one guest house at Owanta-Alisin in Ika North East LGA, operatives of Raiders squad stormed the hideout, on sighting the Police team, the suspected cultists took to their heels and escaped. When the premises was searched, one Beretta pistol, cult regalia, one life ammunition. Effort to arrest the fleeing suspect is ongoing.
4. ARREST OF A SUSPECT WHO FAKED HIS OWN KIDNAP: On the 20/3/2024, at about 1600hours, the DPO Agbor division received complaint on the suspected kidnap of a 17year old boy (name withheld) in Okhumera qtrs. Agbor-obi. The suspect forwarded a voice note to his sister stating that he has been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding for one million naira (#1,000,000). The DPO swung into action, acting on a technically generated intelligence, and arrested three suspects. Investigation revealed that the 17 year old connived with his friends and faked his own kidnap. Before they were arrested, they had already collected a ransom of seven hundred thousand naira (#700,000) and have squandered the money. Investigation is ongoing.
5. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER, RAPIST, RECOVERY OF TWO SINGLE BARREL CUT-TO-SIZE GUNS, AND THREE LIVE CARTRIDGES: On 10/4/2024, at about 0330hrs, acting on credible information received that armed robbers were operating around Urhoaka community in Abraka, a team of Police officers and vigilante were deployed to the scene. The team laid an ambushed and arrested one Ogwu Endurance ‘m’ and two single barrel cut-to-size guns were recovered from him. Preliminary information revealed that the suspect has been involved in series of kidnapping in Abraka axis, the suspect during one of his armed robbery raped his victim a 23 year old girl. Effort to arrest his other gang members is ongoing.
6. RECOVERY OF ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE LIVE CARTRIDGES: On 5/4/2024 at about 1815 hours, operatives of Eagle-Net Special squad while on stop and search duty intercepted one white colored Sienna vehicle conveying five passengers including the driver. While the search was going on, the driver took to his heels and escaped. Upon thorough search of the vehicle, one hundred and twenty-five live cartridges concealed in a carton were recovered. The vehicle and the exhibit in custody while manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.
7. ARREST OF A MURDER SUSPECT: On the 5th April 2024, at about 2300hours, one Ngozi Sharon William went to visit a family friend one Mr Nicholas Charles ‘m’ and his wife at No.10 Adizue Onochei Street Asaba. While the said Ngozi was in the apartment, a disagreement ensued between herself and the said Nicholas, which took them to the kitchen. During the course of the disagreement, the suspect Mr Nicholas picked a knife on the fridge and stabbed the victim which led to her death. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
8. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTIST AND RECOVERY OF ONE LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE GUN, AND THREE LIVE CARTRIDGES: On 04/04/2024 at about 1700hrs, acting on a credible intelligence gathered on a cult rivalry in Ogwashi-Uku, I directed that the operatives of Raiders Squad to work meticulously on the gathered intelligence. The operatives raided one hotel in Issele – Azagba; where a 29yrs old male suspect, Joseph Jonathan, a native of Ika North-East was arrested. Immediately, a search was conducted in his premises, and the following were exhibits were recovered: one (01) Locally Made Cut-to-Size Double Barrel gun loaded with three (03) live cartages, and one (01) charm designed cowries.
9. DEATH OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER AND RECOVERY OF ONE PUMP ACTION GUN: On 03/03/2024 at about 0255hrs, while working on a distress call, the DELTA HAWK team collaborating with the Okpanam Divisional Police patrol team, proceeded to Marble Hill Junction in response to a distress call about an armed robbery operation around Play Learn Academy School area. The officers mounted a surveillance within the scene of the robbery, upon sighting the Policemen, the armed robbers opened fire on the team which the team responded. During the ensuing gun duel, one of the suspected armed robbers sustained gunshot injuries, and was later confirmed dead at the hospital. One English Pump Action and One cut-to-size single barrel gun with three live cartridges were recovered. Effort to arrest the other fleeing suspect is ongoing
10. ARREST OF A SUSPECT WHO MURDERED HIS GIRLFRIEND IN OZORO: On 29/3/2024 at about 0700hours, the DPO Ozoro Division received report on a suspected murder of one Jessica Uzowanne ‘f’ aged 19yrs. Investigation revealed the suspect was stabbed to death by her boyfriend one Raphael Egbo ‘m’ aged 20yrs over a disagreement. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
11. DEATH OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS, AND RECOVERY OF ONE LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE GUN AND CARTRIDGES: On 01/04/2024 at about 0900hrs, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) while on routine patrol along Asaba/Benin Expressway encountered a group of six armed suspects. On sighting the operatives these suspects in a bid to escape had a gunshot battle with the police operatives, during which two of suspects were arrested with serious gunshot injuries. They were immediately taken to the hospital where they gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. One locally made cut to size double barrel gun loaded with two live cartridges and a battle axe was recovered. Effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects.
12. ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTED SERIAL TRICYCLE ROBBERS: Sequel to the series of complaints from residence on the activities of some hoodlums who operates with tricycle in the guise of being tricycle riders, rob their unsuspecting passengers of their phones and withdraw money from their bank account, I directed the DPOs in the metro to up their game and arrest those responsible. Consequently, on 25/3/2024, two suspects namely Collins Akpinoba ‘m’ age 27yrs and David Paulson ‘m’ age 38yrs were arrested. Preliminary investigation reveals that one of the suspect drives the tricycle whole the other pretend to be a passenger. Over ten witnesses have so far identified them.
13. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER AND RECOVERY OF ONE FARBICATED BERETTA PISTOL: On 27th March 2024, Anti-crime patrol team from Agbor Division while on stop and search duty along Ekuku-Agbor road intercepted one John Chikwuji ‘m’ aged 25yrs, the suspect was subjected to a search during which one Beretta Pistol was recovered from him. Investigation is ongoing.
14. ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER, RESCUE OF THREE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS: On 25/3/2024 at about 2030hours, while an indigene of Egbudu-Akah, Aniocha south LGA was hunting, he sighted some suspected kidnappers dragging three girls into the bush, he immediately ran to Nsukwa Division and reported to the DPO. On receipt of this information, I immediately directed the DPO to mobilize policemen alongside the local vigilantes and to go after the kidnappers. Upon closing in on them, the kidnappers, abandoned the kidnapped victims and fled while firing at the policemen. One of the suspected kidnapper was arrested and the three girls of the same parent were rescued.
15. ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS: Sequel to a kidnapping incident that occurred on 31/10/2023 in Orerokpe where the victim was later released after ransom was paid. Armed with available information, the Command embarked on an intelligence based investigation since the date of the incidence which paid off when on 05/03/2024 at about 1700hrs, with the aid of a technically generated intelligence led investigation, two male suspects namely Peter Idogor, age 24yrs and Emmanuel Sunday age 19yrs all of Evwreni Community in Ughelli South were arrested. These suspects were linked to the kidnap of the victim, and the victim has identified the two suspects. Meanwhile, investigation has commenced and effort to arrest the other fleeing suspects is ongoing
Abaniwonda also disclosed that he has directed all DPOs to sustain raids of identified black spots, and drug dealers in their area of responsibility, and as well embarked on visibility patrol/stop and search duty to ensure that crime and criminality does not thrive in their Area. He assured Delta residents of adequate security, and appealed to members of the public particularly Deltans to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality by providing the police with credible information to enable them in order to the serve the public better.
He urged residents to be guided by the principle of “ if you see something, say something”. For any distress situation that bothers on security, kindly report at the nearest police station, or the command headquarters through the Control room numbers on 08036684974, 08125958005, and 09053872287