By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
The Delta State Police Command has recovered two AK-47 magazines from suspected kidnappers after fleeing their hideout in Abraka, Ethiope-East Local Government Area of the State.
Spokesman of the Command, DSP Edafe Bright, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects escaped when operatives of the Command initially raided the area.
According to a statement, recently, the image maker said: “As a follow-up on the investigation of suspected kidnappers neutralized in Abraka where one AK-47 rifle was recovered.
“The DPO Abraka Division again led operatives to comb the surrounding bushes where some of the suspects escaped into.
“The team, upon thorough search of the bush, recovered two AK-47 magazines, fifty-two rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
“Investigation also revealed that one of the neutralized suspects poses as an internet fraudster (yahoo boy) and has been using the proceeds gotten from kidnapping to build a 15-room duplex around Orogun, Ughelli North LGA” assuring that effort to arrest the other members of the gang is still ongoing.
Similarly, the PPRO hinted that following series of reported cases of vehicles removed from parking areas in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, and environs, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Wale Abass, directed Area commanders and DPO’S to nip this trend in the bud.
He warned that if the trend continues, officers concerned in such areas would be severely sanctioned.
“In line with this directive, the DPO Ughelli Division closely supervised by the Area commander Ughelli, ACP Adebayo Ademola, on June15, 2023, while acting on intelligence gathered, arrested the duo of Phillip Ekugbe and Onome Erikefe both of Ekpan community Effurun who specializes in snatching vehicles from Warri and environs, and taking them to Ughelli where they disassemble and sell the vehicles in parts.
“Seventy-four vehicle tyres, 16 vehicle engines, eight gear boxes, 15 motor batteries, two motorcycle engines and seven suspected stolen vehicles have so far been recovered.
“The vehicles include one Toyota Corolla with reg. no. AJ 638 EFR, Toyota carina with reg. no. WW 748 SL, Toyota Corolla with reg. no. DU 60 LSR, Toyota corolla with reg. no. WWR 799 AE, Toyota Corolla with reg. no. KSF 758 DC and one unregistered Nissan car” he disclosed that the suspects are in custody, and investigation is ongoing.
In another development, the DPO GRA division received a distress call that on 30/5/2023, a man took his Benz GLK 350 to a car wash situated along Mariam Babangida way for washing but when he returned back, he was told that one of the attendant had stolen the car and escaped to an unknown destination.
“On receipt of this complaint, the DPO GRA CSP Spencer Tyozua detailed detectives to embark on an intelligence led investigation which paid off as the suspect named Emmanuel Chidera ‘m’ (22) was arrested on June 14, 2023 around magistrate court area in Asaba.
“During the course of interrogation, the suspect confessed that he had taken the car to Benin City in Edo state where he intend to sell the car.
The vehicle has been recovered, and effort to arrest his accomplices is ongoing.
“CP Wale Abass who is pleased with the effort shown by DPO’S and Area commanders of the Command, also admonished them to sustain the tempo while appealing to Deltans to trust the police and help with useful information at all times”.