From Ben Dunno, Warri
Renewed efforts by the Delta State Police Command to clampdown on members of the notorious syndicate that specializes in kidnapping and other criminal activities in Ughelli and its environs had started yielding results with the arrest of some identified gang leaders and their weapons in recent coordinated operations in the area.
Disclosing this while briefing the media in Asaba on Thursday, Commissioner of Police (CP) Abaniwonda Olufemi attributed the success so far recorded in the ongoing war on kidnapping in Ughelli and environs to the Command’s strategic move of redeploying a Special team to work in synergy with newly posted Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in fishing out the criminals terrorizing the area.
CP Abaniwonda hinted that in the course of the various operations carried out based on intelligence gathering by his men at various locations both within and outside Ughelli, notorious kidnappers, including a fake pastor were arrested alongside weapons such as one pump action, one Baretta pistol, one locally made cut to size gun and three (3) live ammunitions recovered.
According to the statement; “It is with great pleasure that I address you today on the achievements made by Delta Command within the period under review. My primary assignment is to provide adequate security for the good people of Delta State and to ensure the State is safe for all”
“Although the challenges are obvious, with the support of members of the public and other security agencies, we will continue to overcome them.
“As regards to recent upsurge of crime such as kidnapping in Ughelli, I wish to inform you that a special team has been deployed to Ughelli to work in synergy with the DPO, and I am glad to inform you that we are already achieving results as some of the suspected kidnappers terrorizing that area has been identified, arrest and their arms recovered, while other gang members are being trailed.
“In addition to this, on April 8, 2024, the operatives on the special assignment working on credible intel stormed one of the hotels in Udu LGA and arrested a notorious kidnapper. Upon his arrest suspect gave useful information that led to the recovery of one pump-action gun loaded with four live cartridges, one Beretta pistol and three rounds of 9mm ammunition.
“On April 2024, at about 05:45 pm, operatives of Eagle-Net Special squad while on routine patrol along Asaba-Agbor expressway Isele-Asagba, flagged down a white Toyota Hiace Bus driven by one Sunday Eze ‘m’ aged 53yrs, the bus and the driver were subjected to a search.
“In the course of the search; Three Hundred and Seventy-Five bottles of CSP codeine, Forty-Four bottles of CSC codeine, One Hundred and Twenty sachets of tramadol, and thirty-three sachets of Swinol were recovered from him. The suspect is in custody and the investigation is ongoing.
“On April 10, 2024, at about 1630hours, acting on credible information that the Eiye confraternity cult group were holding a meeting in one guest house at Owanta-Alisin in Ika North East LGA, operatives of Raiders squad stormed the hideout, on sighting the Police team, the suspected cultists took to their heels and escaped. When the premises were searched, one Beretta pistol, cult regalia, and one live ammunition. Efforts to arrest the fleeing suspect are ongoing.
“Also on March 20, 2024, at about 1600 hours, the DPO Agbor division received a complaint on the suspected kidnap of a 17-year-old boy (name withheld) in Okhumera qtrs. Agbor-obi. The suspect forwarded a voice note to his sister stating that he had been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding one million naira (#1,000,000).
“The DPO swung into action, acting on a technically generated intelligence, and arrested three suspects. Investigation revealed that the 17-year-old connived with his friends and faked his own kidnap. Before they were arrested, they had already collected a ransom of seven hundred thousand naira (#700,000) and had squandered the money. Investigation is ongoing.”
He disclosed further that, “On April 10, 2024, at about 0330hrs, acting on credible information received that armed robbers were operating around Urhoaka community in Abraka, a team of Police officers and vigilantes were deployed to the scene.
“The team laid an ambushed and arrested one Ogwu Endurance ‘m’ and two single barrel cut-to-size guns were recovered from him. Preliminary information revealed that the suspect has been involved in a series of kidnappings in the Abraka axis, the suspect during one of his armed robberies raped his victim a 23-year-old girl. Efforts to arrest his other gang members are ongoing.
“On April 5, 2024, at about 1815 hours, operatives of Eagle-Net Special squad while on stop and search duty intercepted one white coloured Sienna vehicle conveying five passengers including the driver. While the search was going on, the driver took to his heels and escaped.
“Upon a thorough search of the vehicle, one hundred and twenty-five live cartridges concealed in a carton were recovered. The vehicle and the exhibit are in custody while a manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.
“Furthermore, on April 5, 2024, at about 2300 hours, one Ngozi Sharon William went to visit a family friend one Mr Nicholas Charles ‘m’ and his wife at No.10 Adizue Onochei Street Asaba. While the said Ngozi was in the apartment, a disagreement ensued between herself and the said Nicholas, which took them to the kitchen. During the course of the disagreement, the suspect Mr Nicholas picked a knife on top of the fridge and stabbed the victim which led to her death. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
“In addition, on April 4, 2024, at about 1700hrs, acting on credible intelligence gathered on a cult rivalry in Ogwashi-Uku, I directed the operatives of Raiders Squad to work meticulously on the gathered intelligence. The operatives raided one hotel in Issele–Azagba; where a 29-year-old male suspect, Joseph Jonathan, a native of Ika North-East was arrested”.
“Immediately, a search was conducted in his premises, and the following exhibits were recovered: one (01) Locally Made Cut-to-Size Double Barrel gun loaded with three (03) live cartridges and one (01) charm-designed cowries,” he stated.
CP Abaniwonda also disclosed that during the period under review, “on March 3, 2024, at about 0255hrs, while working on a distress call, the DELTA HAWK team collaborating with the Okpanam Divisional Police patrol team, proceeded to Marble Hill Junction in response to a distress call about an armed robbery operation around Play Learn Academy School area. The officers mounted surveillance within the scene of the robbery, and upon sighting the Policemen, the armed robbers opened fire on the team which the team responded.
“During the ensuing gun duel, one of the suspected armed robbers sustained gunshot injuries and was later confirmed dead at the hospital. One English Pump Action and One cut-to-size single barrel gun with three live cartridges were recovered. Effort to arrest the other fleeing suspect is ongoing.
“On March 29, 2024, at about 0700 hours, the DPO Ozoro Division received a report on a suspected murder of one Jessica Uzowanne ‘f’ aged 19yrs. Investigation revealed the suspect was stabbed to death by her boyfriend one Raphael Egbo ‘m’ aged 20yrs over a disagreement. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.”
Also, on April 1, 2024, at about 0900hrs, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), “while on routine patrol along Asaba/Benin Expressway encountered a group of six armed suspects. On sighting the operatives these suspects in a bid to escape had a gunshot battle with the police operatives, during which two of the suspects were arrested with serious gunshot injuries.
“They were immediately taken to the hospital where they gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. One locally made cut-to-size double barrel gun loaded with two live cartridges and a battle axe was recovered. Effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
Disclosing further; he stated: “Sequel to the series of complaints from residents on the activities of some hoodlums who operate with a tricycle in the guise of being tricycle riders, rob their unsuspecting passengers of their phones and withdraw money from their bank account, I directed the DPOs in the metro to up their game and arrest those responsible.
“Consequently, on 25/3/2024, two suspects namely Collins Akpinoba ‘m’ age 27yrs and David Paulson ‘m’ age 38yrs were arrested. Preliminary investigation reveals that one of the suspects drives the tricycle while the other pretends to be a passenger. Over ten witnesses have so far identified them.
“On March 27, 2024, an anti-crime patrol team from Agbor Division while on stop and search duty along Ekuku-Agbor road intercepted one John Chikwuji ‘m’ aged 25yrs, the suspect was subjected to a search during which one Beretta Pistol was recovered from him. Investigation is ongoing.
“On Match 25, 2024 at about 2030hours, while an indigene of Egbudu-Akah, Aniocha south LGA was hunting, he sighted some suspected kidnappers dragging three girls into the bush, he immediately ran to Nsukwa Division and reported to the DPO.
“On receipt of this information, I immediately directed the DPO to mobilize policemen alongside the local vigilantes and to go after the kidnappers. Upon closing in on them, the kidnappers abandoned the kidnapped victims and fled while firing at the policemen. One of the suspected kidnappers was arrested and the three girls of the same parent were rescued.
“Sequel to a kidnapping incident that occurred on October 31, 2023, in Orerokpe where the victim was later released after a ransom was paid. Armed with available information, the Command embarked on an intelligence-based investigation since the date of the incident which paid off when on March 5, 2024, at about 1700hrs, with the aid of a technically generated intelligence-led investigation.
“Two male suspects namely Peter Idogor, age 24yrs and Emmanuel Sunday age 19yrs all of Evwreni Community in Ughelli South were arrested. These suspects were linked to the kidnap of the victim, and the victim has identified the two suspects. Meanwhile, an investigation has commenced and an effort to arrest the other fleeing suspects is ongoing.
“Conclusively, I have directed all DPOs to sustain raids of identified black spots, and drug dealers in their area of responsibility, embark on visibility patrol/stop and search duty, and ensure that crime and criminality do not thrive in their Area.
“While assuring Delta residents of adequate security, I am appealing to members of the public particularly Deltans to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality by providing us with credible information to enable us to serve you better.
“Let us be guided by the principle of if you see something, say something”. For any distress situation that bothers on security, kindly report at the nearest police station, or the command headquarters through the Control room numbers on 08036684974, 08125958005, and 09053872287,” he stated.