KINGSLEY EBERE
Police operatives from the Delta State Command have arrested two suspects, Patrick Emete and Alex Uwagbafor, who specialized in stealing from churches after they burgled a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), carted away multi-million Naira worth musical equipment and escaped.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the RCCG a.k.a Dominion Mega in Orerokpe area of Delta State, where the church is located.
However, the robbers ran out of luck when one of the suspects, Patrick, posted on his Facebook account that he had musical equipment for sale; he was trailed by Police detectives and arrested.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the arrest of the duo of Alex and Patrick, who belonged to a syndicate that specialized in robbing churches in the State.
Edafe stated thar their arrest followed an advert on Patrick’s Facebook account for the sale of some of the stolen items.
“The Orerokpe Divisional Police Headquarters of the Delta State Police Command arrested two suspects for their infamous strings of church break-ins in Delta State. Police received information on 17/11/2023 at about 1600hrs about a break-in at Redeem Christian Church of God, a.k.a “Dominion Mega”, where several church musical instruments were carted away from the church. Sequel to the report, the DPO Orerokpe Division, CSP Paul Obaware swiftly mobilized and led his operatives to assess the scene of the crime. “
“Afterward, an operation was planned and executed on the strength of the items that were carted away. Consequently, on 19/11/23, Patrick Emete posted one of the stolen amplifiers for sale on his Facebook page. Immediately detectives offered to buy the said item, lured and trailed the suspect to Effurun Roundabout, where he was apprehended at about 1304hrs of the same date.”
“Following the confession of the 36-year-old Patrick Emete of Ughoton Community, one of his associates, Alex Uwagbafor, 45 of New Era Clinic Deco Road, Warri was also arrested.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that these suspects are notorious and unrepentant thieves who specialize in burgling churches, shops, and homes. Items recovered from suspects are twenty big loudspeakers; three generator sets; fifteen large mixers amplifiers; four keyboards; twelve power amplifiers; ten industrial standing fans; one complete drum set; one guitar; one power mic; two standing freeze; two plasma televisions; two home theaters; one washing machine; three stabilizers; three handsaws one clipper; one microwave;
one small oven; and one gas cylinder.”
The image maker stated that in sequence to the ongoing investigation, a clergyman (name withheld) also alleged that his church was burgled. On 30/11/23 at about 1632hrs, upon questioning, the suspects admitted and further led the operatives to Eburu Street Warri, where more stolen items were recovered. These items included eleven big loudspeakers; five professional power amplifiers, six professional mixers; one Serato DJ deck; one Pioneer DJ deck; one plasma TV; four big generators; one generator without a tank; one power microphone set; one projector; two sets of English mini drums; and one big stabilizer.Meanwhile, frantic efforts are ongoing to recover more stolen items.
The suspects are in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly, upon the conclusion of the investigations” he stated.