Police neutralise one, arrest five criminal suspects in Delta, Nigeria

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command, Nigeria, have neutralised a robbery suspect and arrested five others at hideouts in Nsukwa village and Sapele.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, in a statement on Friday, disclosed that several weapons were recovered from the suspects some of whom combined armed robbery with cultism and kidnapping.

He gives details of how the suspects were arrested and the thoughts of CP Olufemi Abaniwonda as regards parental roles in society.

“Acting on available intelligence, on 19/06/2024 at about 1530hrs, the special operatives deployed by CP Abaniwonda Olufemi to Ughelli led by ASP Julius Robinson stormed a criminal hideout in Sapele and effected the arrest of four suspects namely; Amechi Ichiagu “m” 25yrs of Ozalla Town in Nkanu West LGA Enugu State, Akpomiemie Larry ‘M” 32yrs of Jesse Community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State, Bright Ovie ‘m’ 36yrs of Ugbomaja Community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State, Ese Ogodo “m” 35yrs of Okpe community and recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that apart from their involvement in cult related activities, they are suspected to be involved in house-to-house armed robbery. Investigation is ongoing.

“Acting on credible intelligence related to incessant cases of armed robbery/kidnapping along Adjekota – Ogor Communities axis of Ughelli North LGA of Delta State, at about 2347hrs of 20/06/2024, ASP Julius Robinson and team on CPS’s special assignment in a sting operation stormed a criminal hideout along Ughelli – Patani road by an abandoned filling station.

“The hoodlums on sighting the Police opened fire on the team which was given a superior response by the police, in the ensuing gun duel, one of the hoodlums sustained serious gun shot injuries while others escaped.

“The injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he died while receiving treatment.

“Two Baretta pistols and five (5) rounds of live Ammunition were recovered, and the manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.

“Acting on credible information received from a concerned resident on the activities of suspected cultist in Nsukwa, on 17/06/2024 at about 2100hrs, operatives of the command’s Special Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) were deployed to Nsukwa where one Christian Bugwa ‘m’ 28yrs of Nsukwa village Delta State was arrested, and one Cut to Size Locally Made Single Barrel Gun, one Live Cartridge were recovered from him.

“Suspect stated that he is a member of Supreme Eiye Confraternity. Effort to arrest his other gang members is ongoing.

“CP Olufemi Abaniwonda again reiterated the importance of partnering with the Police in the fight against crime and criminality.

“He noted that policing and security is everybody’s business, hence the need to provide useful, timely and credible information to the police cannot be over emphasized.

“He also urged youth to shun all forms of cult related activities, and crime as the command is able and willing to tackle and reduce crime to the barest minimum in the state,” he stated.