BY JOEL GRANDBALL/UGHELLI
THE Delta State Police Command, has paraded 12 persons suspected to be kidnappers, armed robbers and recovered a cache of arms, as well as live ammunition, hard drugs and stolen mobile phones. The suspects were paraded alongside car snatchers, and “one chance” drivers, described as such as they target their victims at night, pretending that they are ready to leave, only to stop shortly after to rob the passengers.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright said, “I will be intimating you with some of the Command’s achievements recorded in some parts of the state, particularly Ughelli, Sapele, Ekpan, Warri, and environs. He said, “Based on intensive Intelligence gathering on a syndicate that specializes in kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and defrauding of suspecting victims bank accounts via Sim swap around Ughelli, Warri, Sapele, Oghara, Abraka and their environs, at about 1530hrs of 18th November, 2024. Operatives of CP – Special Assignment Team (CP – SAT ) with base in Ughelli affected the arrest of a notorious gang member of the said syndicate.
The suspects, Godstime Ajugba m” 41yrs of Wellington Road Area Mosogar Ethiope East LGA Delta State upon interrogation, he led operatives to their criminal hideout situated by ‘Small Pastor Area’ out sketch of Mosogar town where they usually keep victims weapons.
“Upon search in the ceiling, two AK 47 rifles, one K2 rifle, two(2) Automatic Pump Action guns, one locally made cut-to-size gun, five (5) AK 47 rifle magazines, three (3) K2 rifle magazines, One Hundred and One (101) k2 rifle live ammunition, two (2) handcuffs and ten(10) live cartridges. “On 20/11/2024 at about 1630hrs surveillance team of Ekpan Division while on patrol along Effurun roundabout axis, arrested one Eto aged 31yrs with a black bag containing 57 live cartridges, upon which the surveillance team mobilized to their hide out following Eto’s confession at Coco Nut Village Along Warri/Sapele Road by Mercy City and arrested one Sunny surname unknown 25yrs old, who was waiting to receive the consignment ‘ground nuts’.
“However as other gang members waiting inside the forest camp sighted Police vehicles they engaged police in a shoot-out during the gun duel the arrested suspects who were leading the policemen to the hide out were fatally wounded by the gunshot of their gang members while others escaped.
“When a discreet search was conducted at the camp and one English Pump Action Gun, one locally made cut-to-size gun and eight live cartridges, six iPhones, some smart phones and a rolex gold wrist watch were all recovered in a black bag. “The two injured suspects during the cross fire were taken to the hospital where they died while receiving treatment. Manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
“On 24/11/2024, at about 2110 hours, operatives of CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) while on investigation in Ughelli metropolis, arrested two suspect connected to series of kidnapping in Ughelli North Local Government which include the kidnap of a man (name withheld) and a ransom of N5m.
“The team stormed their hideout along Otokutu road Iyede. The gang members upon sighting the operatives open fire on the team. In the ensuing gun duel, two of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries. One Pump action gun, one Beretta pistol, one cut-to-size gun and six live cartridges were recovered. “The injured suspects were taken to the hospital where they died while receiving treatment.” SP Edafe who further disclosed that an illicit drug warehouse was busted said, “Sequel to Intel gathered from various kidnappers armed robbers and cultist who confessed of patronizing drug cartels to boost their self before engaging on their nefarious activities.
“On 13/11/2024, Operatives of CP -Special Assignment Team commenced raiding of identified illicit drug house with a view to curtail their activities starting with a hidden warehouse situated along Shell Road Area of Sapele town. “The house was busted and the following drugs distributing agents were arrested viz Chukwudi Ruben ‘m” 28yrs a native of Anaku village in Ayamelu local government area that resides at Shell Road Area Sapele Delta State, Justice Chire ‘m” 19yrs a native of Obinngwa Community in Isugu Ator local government area both of Anambra State but a resident of Shell Road Area Sapele.
Others are, Igwe Solomon ‘m” 27yrs a native of Oriuzor community in Omuigboke LGA Eboyi State but a resident of Shell Road in Sapele Delta State, and Peter Irikefe ‘m” 44yrs a native of Kokori town but resident of Shell Road Area Sapele Delta State, emmanuel John ‘m” 32yrs a native Mayo Belwa LGA of Adamawa State but resident of behind Obile Area Sapele Delta State, Alex Peter ‘m” 29yrs a native of Demsa LGA Adamawa State but resident of behind Obule School Sapele Delta State and David Dominic ‘m” 30yrs of Demsa Community in Demsa LGA Adamawa State but a resident of back of Obule School Sapele Delta State.
“Drugs recovered at the warehouse includes multiple bottles of codeine, multiple sachets of tramadol, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, multiple sachets of phenol drug named Canadian Loud and other prohibited drugs.
