Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Delta State Police Command has taken four suspected armed robbers into custody following two separate intelligence-driven operations in the Asaba metropolis on Thursday.
Acting on the principles of proactive policing, the command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Crack Squad conducted simultaneous stop-and-search and patrol duties that led to the arrests.
In the first incident, at about 4:25pm along the Ugbolu/Asaba Road, RRS operatives flagged down a 28-year-old man, Chinoso Igwemma. Officers said his demeanour raised immediate suspicion, and a subsequent search uncovered one fabricated Beretta pistol.
Police sources believe the intervention averted a potential violent crime.
Hours later, the Crack Squad intercepted a tricycle carrying three male occupants in the Bonsaac Area of Asaba. The suspects – Umuadi Benjamin Chinecherem, 30; Nwabueze Kelvin, 28; and Okonkwo Celestine, 30 – were searched thoroughly. Officers recovered one locally made cut-to-size firearm loaded with one live cartridge.
Preliminary interrogations have linked the trio to a pattern of robbing innocent citizens of their belongings, according to police statements.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led strategies and proactive policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks across the state.
All four suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
