Police Turn The Heat On Criminals In Delta, Cultists & Other Suspects Arrested

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, has declared war against cultism, kidnapping and criminality in the State.

According to the Command’s Acting Spokesperson, DSP Edafe Bright, he stated that on Tuesday 13th July 2021, at about 16:30 hrs, the DPO Oviwan-Aladja Division, acting on a distress call that some armed robbers were at a bush bar in Otor-Udu, swiftly deployed patrol teams to the scene.

On sighting the Police, they attempted to escape on a motorcycle; they were chased by the patrol teams and two of the suspects escaped while one was arrested. 

On searching, the suspect, Umukoro Collins, he was in possession of a black bag. Inside the bag were one (1) locally made pistol and one (1) live cartridge, which were recovered. Manhunt for the two suspects at large is ongoing.

“Also on Thursday July 15th, at about 20:50hrs, the Commander of RRS Delta and team while on visibility patrol along Ibusa-Ogwashi-Uku – Issele-Azagba road after Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic, received information that a group of suspected cultists came out from the bush with intent to cause mayhem.”

The Commander, RRS, led men immediately and the cultists, who were armed, on sighting the Police quickly retreated to the bush, but the Police did not relent. The Police chased them into the bush and there was exchanged of gun fire. The hoodlums, who could not withstand the firepower of the Police, threw away one AK 50 rifle with breach No. NA48333 containing a full loaded magazine with nineteen (19) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and escaped. The rifle was recovered while effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Similarly, a cult initiation process was foiled on the Saturday July 3rd. SACU operatives, acting on intelligence, gathered that there will be cult initiation in Ogume Community in Ogume Local government area of Delta State. SACU operative stormed the bush at night, and successfully arrested over 28 suspect.

Eight suspected Aiye Confraternity cult members were also arrested in Warri. Further investigation and the confessional statement of one of the suspects led to the arrest of one Lucky Eluagu (m) alias DJ Lucky aged 27, of Okpe Street Jeddo in Okpe Local Government area. The suspect confessed being a valid member of Aiye Confraternity. Exhibit recovered from him includes a face cap with black axe logo.

The Commissioner of Police has mandated DPOs and Tactical Commanders to embark on continuous raid of cultists hideout. Suspected cultists from different cult groups have so far been arrested and will be charged to Court on conclusion of investigation.

 Meanwhile the Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Ari Muhammed Ali FCIA, has mandated DPOs to maintain and sustain this tempo because Delta State under his watch will not be a safe haven for cultist to hibernate.

On same Thursday July 15th, at about 17:45hrs, ‘B’ Division Warri patrol team, while on stop and search at Igbudu area, had an encounter with three (3) armed men suspected to be armed robbers. The gang members were armed with a locally made gun. On sighting the Police, they opened fire on the patrol team and in the process Police returned fire. One of them that was armed with a locally made gun was fatally injured while others escaped.

Items recovered were one (1) locally made gun, one (1) live cartridge and one (1) expanded cartridge. Effort is ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.

Also on Thursday July 15th, at about 09:00hrs, Eagle-Net Special Squad operatives while on stop and search at Otukutu Junction, Warri, sighted two young men. The suspects on sighting the Police attempted to run but were given a hot chase which led to the arrest of one Mohammed Umar ‘m’ 18yrs of Raba LGA of Sokoto State and Aliyu Abubakar ‘m’ 20yrs of Danko Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State that was discovered to have sustained a broken arm and injuries on his back which craved suspicion. After a thorough search on the said suspects one (1) live cartridge, one (1) mini Tecno phone, three thousand Naira (N3,000), some sticks of cigarette and one lighter were found in their possession. Investigation is ongoing.