The Delta State Police Command has apprehended suspected armed robbers, cultist, recovering a stolen truck, pistol and one locally made gun.
A statement released on Sunday and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, read, “On 24/05/2024 at about 1130hrs, acting on intelligence, the Commissioner of Police special team deployed to Ughelli led by ASP Julius Robinson stormed the residence of one Chief Oviri Onorigho “m” 52yrs of Oghara town in Ethiope West LGA Delta State who is an accountant with the Delta State Polytechnic Oghara Delta State.
“A search warrant was executed in his residence during which one Baretta Pistol loaded with four (4) rounds of live ammunition was recovered. The suspect was immediately arrested. Preliminary investigation revealed that he is suspected to be a member of Aiye confraternity. The suspect stated that he bought the gun from one Morrison (at large) for two hundred and fifty thousand naira (#250,000) and that it was for his protection. The suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
According to the statement, in another development, “On 18/05/2024 at about 1600 hours, a resident of Ekpan Community (name withheld) came to the charge room and reported that on 16/5/2024 at about 0200hours, he sighted a certain young man dressed in a black cloth carrying a black bag inside their compound, that he raised alarm which made the suspect escape but they later noticed that their pumping machine was stolen by the suspect.
“However on 17/5/2024 at about 0610hrs, operatives alongside members of the community arrested one gift Newworld ‘m’ of Ekpan community, and after a painstaking interrogation and investigation, the suspect led the police to his hideout in Ekpan where the pumping machine, one locally made cut-to-size double barrel gun, and three live cartridges were recovered. Further investigation led to the arrest of his gang member Izobo Okwe ‘m’ of Ekpan who later confessed to being the owner of the gun and a member of the gang. The suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing.
The statement further added that, “On 17/05/2024 at about 0005hrs, operatives from B’ Division Asaba while performing stop and search duty along Benin-Asaba Expressway acting on a tip-off intercepted a diesel truck with registration NO: ENU 564 ZU, loaded with Eight Hundred and Forty (840) crates of life Lager Beer, the truck was driven on 15/05/2024 by one Collins Ogbodo Ude ‘M’ a driver with Lumie Haulage Breweries Company, Enugu.
“The truck was stolen from where parked at Umuasea Bus Stop in Udi Local Government Area Enugu State. With the aid of technically driven intelligence, the truck was located in Delta State and intercepted by operatives of the ‘B’ division. One (1) male suspect Emeka Okorie aged 32yrs from Imo state was arrested while two other suspects escaped. Upon search of the truck, one (1) cut-to-size locally made double barrel pistol and four (4) live cartridges were recovered. Efforts to arrest the fleeing suspect are ongoing.”
Edafe also noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi warned that the proliferation of firearms in the state will not be tolerated. Being in possession of firearms of any kind was strictly prohibited and anyone caught will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the law.
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