Delta CP Sends Warning Signals To Criminals, As Suspected Kidnappers, Cultists Arrested

Bag Of Locally Fabricated Pistol, One Revolver Pistol, Ammunition, Vehicles Recovers In Ughelli 

By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye

With the renewed gale of kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and cult activities and other violent crimes in Ughelli and environs which have left several number of persons killed, and properties lost, and giving helpless residents sleepless night and worries, the Delta State Police Commissioner, Wale Abbass, has sent strong warning signal to criminal elements to flee the state as operatives of the command tracked down  suspected kidnappers, cultists and recover guns, ammunition and stolen vehicles.

The operatives of the command determined to wade off crime from the Ughelli, Agbarho and Warri areas, on May 11, 2023, painstakingly made massive breakthrough as suspected kidnappers terrorizing residents and who also kidnapped a couple, Mr & Mrs. Okutonye Efetobore, on April 4, 2023  in Ughellli town, and a ransom of One million naira paid before regaining their freedom were arrested.

A press statement signed and made available by the command’s spoke person, Mr. Bright Edafe, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police Delta state, CP Wale Abass, had earlier directed the Command Decoy Squad to embark on an intelligence led investigation and ensure that the kidnappers were arrested and brought to justice. 

The statement noted that in  compliance with the CP’s directives,  on May 11, 2023, at about 2315hrs, operatives of the command Decoy Squad led by the Commander, ASP. Julius Robinson, acting on credible intelligence, embarked on a ‘Sting Operation’, and their intelligence paid off as  one Emmanuel James ‘m’ 32,  of Otor-Udu, Udu LGA, Delta State, who is suspected to be the leader of the gang was arrested.  

The suspected gang leader while on police custody, on May 12, 2023, at about 0230hrs led operatives to Ejewu/Ujevwu community, in Udu LGA  and arrested the syndicate driver, one Ejiro Peter ‘m’ (25) a native of Kokori community in Ethiope East LGA, Delta State. 

Both suspects confessed to their involvement in series of armed robbery, kidnapping operations  in Ughelli and Warri which includes the kidnap of Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore and the collection of a One million naira (#1,000,000.00) paid  before the couple regained their freedom.  

The suspects also led 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. 

 
Upon searching his apartment, 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.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Command  State Anti Cult Unit (SACU), while on a joint operation  with Dragon patrol, Safer Highway, Raiders Squad, RRS at Afiesere /Ughelli on May 5, 2023, at about 1730hrs, arrested the duo of Tega Precious’ m’ 28, and Ebi Marvellous ‘m’ 27, with One revolver pistol and Two live ammunition. The suspects confessed to be members of Neo Black Movement (NBM) Comfraternity 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.

In same vein, the Command recorded another success on 12th May, 2023, in Agbarho  when operatives of Agbarho Police Station were on stop and search duty and sighted a red GLK Mercedes Benz. The vehicle waa flagged down, but the  suspect on sighting the Police quickly alighted from the Mercedez Benz GLK 350 with registration number WWR 441 MD and escaped into the bush. 

The vehicle was recovered to the station and searched during which, a phone number which belong to the owner of the vehicle was seen, and when contacted, he confirmed that the car was stolen from him at gun point on May 11, 2023. 

Similarly, on May 11, 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 registration 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 May 10, 2023 in Sapele. Manhunt for the suspects is ongoing.

CP Wale Abass, the Commissioner of Police in the State, has assured residents, that the command will be working round the clock to ensure that anyone terrorizing the state is arrested and brought to justice.