By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
The Delta State Police Command spokesman, SP. Bright Edafe, has disclosed that the Commands efforts to accelerate the fight against crime has really paid off as two Kidnappers and a cultist has been arrested.
According to police image maker, the squad which is currently stationed in Ughelli, has through a high-density operation has successfully arrested six suspected kidnappers, and also recovers one pump action gun, three barretta pistols, one revolver pistol, one locally made cut-to-size gun.
The special tactical squad detailed to Ughelli has also rescued a woman kidnapped along the Isoko road in Ughelli.
Disclosing how the criminals were arrested through electronic press release, and signed by the PPRO, stated that on April 17, 2024, at about 2330hrs, while working on the credible intelligence received about a syndicate of armed robbers terrorizing Ughelli and its environs, ASP Julius Robinson led his team in a sting operation, and stormed Sapele Town were they arrested the leader of one of the suspected syndicate known as Ibrahim Usman, ‘m’ (35), an indigene of Abaji Town, Kogi State.
The suspect on April 18,at about 0530hrs led the operatives to Itsekiri road area of Sapele town, where two of his gang members; one Joseph Aondohbmba, (22) of Gbeji Community in Logo LGA, Benue State and Collins Ovo alias Gbegbes, (23) male suspect from Adeje Community in Okpe LGA, Delta State.
The gang leader Ibrahim Usman, took the team to his residence at Itsekiri road just before Macpherson area of Sapele where a Barretta Pistol hidden under his mattress was recovered. Investigation is ongoing.
While on April 24, 2024, at about 0730hrs, the team led by ASP Julius Robinson again stormed Ogorode Area of Sapele Town where the team arrested one Daniel Okete ‘m’ (32) and a native of Jesse Community in Ethiope-West LGA, but resides in Sapele, Delta State. Upon search, a Barretta Pistol was recovered in his residence which he confessed that he bought from one Goodluck Sokutu ‘m’ also in custody. He confessed to being the third in command of Eiye Confraternity in Sapele Town.
In anothet development, the police on April 25, 2024, at about 1000hrs, while acting on the confessions from a gun runner already in custody viz Goodluck Sakuta ‘m’, operatives recovered a Barretta Pistol at an uncompleted building in Amukpe area of Sapele where it was hidden. Investigation is ongoing
Sequel to a case of kidnapping reported at the ‘A’ Division, Ughellli by the husband of a kidnapped victim (name withheld), who was abducted along Isoko road Ughellli by unknown hoodlums demanding Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#2,500,000) as ransom for the victim’s release, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Sadiq immediately detailed ASP Julius Robinson to lead his team of operatives on special assignment, and so, on April 22, 2024, at about 1430 hrs, combined teams of police operatives and members of the vigilantes, while armed with technically generated intelligence stormed Eruemukohwarian Community in Ughellli North LGA of Delta State suspected to be the hoodlums’ hideout.
On sighting the teams, the hoodlums took to their heels, abandoning the victim who was rescued unhurt. Two (2) of.the suspects, Edadfe Akporere ‘m’ (27) of Eruemukohwarian Community in Ughellli North LGA of Delta State, and Igho Midiraya ‘m’ (34) of Uvwiamuge-Agbarho in Ughellli North LGA of Delta were arrested after a hot chase by the police operatives.
The suspects have been identified by the victim. Efforts have been intensified to arrest other fleeing gangs.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, has commended the officers and team members for their relentless efforts in the fight against crime within the Ughelli and Sapele region of the state, and assured the public that these achievements will no doubt, send a clear message to perpetrators of crime that they will be caught, and mercilessly prosecuted with no fear or favor as provided by the laws of the land.