…Recover Firearms, Arrest Suspected Cultists
BY PATRICK MGBODO
The Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, has recorded another breakthrough in the fight against crime, foiling a kidnapping plot during the graduation ceremony at Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government area, Delta State.
This was contained in a statement issued to The Pointer by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe in Asaba, yesterday.
According to the Edafe, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oghara Division, CSP Olasunkanmi Musiliu, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly mobilized his team to intercept the suspected kidnappers who had planned to abduct guests attending the ceremony.
The operation, which took place in a bush along Otefe/Ovade Legit road, escalated to a gun battle but the suspects later attempted to flee upon superior firepower of the police. Despite sustaining gunshot injuries, the kidnappers managed to escape.
However, the police recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, an English pump-action gun, and a locally-made cut-to-size gun. “A manhunt for the fleeing suspects is currently underway”, Edafe stated.
In another development, Edafe said at approximately 7.45pm, the Oghara Division anti-crime patrol team arrested two suspected cultists during a stop-and-search operation at Otefe Ijomi community road.
The suspects, identified as 22-year-old Ovoke Benedict, a Computer Science student, and 23-year-old Fredrick Urhoborume, a Business Administration student, both of Delta State Polytechnic Otefe-Oghara, were found in possession of a locally made cut-to-size gun and six live cartridges. Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects are members of the Arrow Barger Confraternity. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of their criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the swift response of the Oghara Division and urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police.
He emphasized that such cooperation is crucial in the ongoing fight against crime and criminality in the state.
CP Abaniwonda further directed that all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) must ensure that their Area of Responsibility is policed adequately. He also directed that visibility patrol and a proactive approach to policing are what all DPOs must adopt under his leadership.
