The police in Delta State has apprehended 14 people suspected to be kidnappers, armed robbers, car snatchers and cultists in various locations in the state.
In a press statement made available to journalists Wednesday in Asaba, by the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Celestina Kalu, said the police on receiving the information swung into action and arrested 14 of the bandits while other escaped.
According to the statement, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Obiaruku Division received information that some suspected hoodlums terrorizing Obiaruku axis were sighted in various locations within the town, stating that, “based on the information, detectives and patrol men commenced immediate raiding of black spots in the area and arrested one Okolie Nkem, aged 21yrs, Oshoiokpu Emmanuel, Okuku Azuka, aged 22yrs, David Danboyi, aged 32yrs, Edio Lucky, 30yrs, Monody Odeni, 30yrs and Ifeachukwudeni Chidi, 21yrs”, pointing out that preliminary inquiry reveals that the suspects were responsible for various robbery incidents and cult related murder in the area in recent time.
In another development, detectives attached to Obiaruku Division received information that one Harrison Ofesi of Iyeze Street, opposite UBA Abbi town was in possession of two truck tyres fixed with reams, suspected to have been stolen, “the detectives swung into action, arrested the said Harrison Ofesi while the two tyres were recovered.
She hinted that “upon discreet investigation, the services of a Vulcanizer were procured to remove the reams from the tyres, consequent upon which the tyres were discovered to have been stocked with several wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, “the exhibits have been recovered while the suspect is undergoing investigation”.
In another development, one Joy Emah, reported at the Police station Isiokolo that her son, Opone Great aged 7yrs was kidnapped by unknown hoodlums, while he was playing with his mates along Ekrebuo Street, Orhoakpo.
The Command’s image maker disclosed that “sequel to the report, a combined team of Anti-Crime patrol men and local vigilante swung into action by combing the bush and uncompleted buildings in the area. In the process, the hoodlums opened fire on the security men and in the ensuing gun battle one of the criminals was shot on the leg and arrested while others escaped and the victim was rescued unhurt”, she said.
In same vein, the PPRO said, the Divisional Police Officer ‘B’ Division Asaba, received a distress call that hoodlums were operating at Oduke area, Asaba, saying “patrol teams mobilized quickly to the scene. On sighting the patrol vehicles the hoodlums escaped and abandoned a Nissan Sunny car with Reg. No FY 764 ABC. When the said car was searched, one Azuka Osakwe who was robbed of the vehicle by the hoodlums was found locked in the booth of the car with injuries”.
Also, the Command’s spokeswoman said, “Dragon patrol team on duty along Emevor/Ughelli road received information from one Aregor Gold of Imonire Street, Otovwodo, Ughelli that she sighted her Volks Wagen vento car Reg. No. Delta AG 177 PT, chassis No. ZZZIHPN529548 snatched from her by armed men earlier on the same date at Otovwodo junction, Ughelli heading towards Otor-Iyede road”, saying on receipt of the information, the patrol men pursued the vehicle to off Otor- Iyede road and arrested the three occupants, one Jamilu Oseni, aged 42yrs, Aliu Mohammed, aged 35yrs and Auwalu Umar, aged 28yrs while the vehicle was recovered and the suspects are undergoing investigation.
DSP Kalu said, patrol men attached to Enerhen Division received a distress call that one Chukwudi Okeke, of Mosheshe, Enerhen was robbed of his Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. FST 125 AC at Bazunu Street Warri, “the patrol men swung into action and gave the hoodlums a hot chase. The bandits in a bid to make away with the stolen car engaged the patrol team in exchange of firing as a result of which the armed robbers later abandoned the car and escaped with bullet injuries”.
Items recovered from the hoodlums included the said Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. FST 125 AC stained with blood, two locally made pistols and two live cartridges while efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the suspects have made useful statements and are assisting investigators with a view to apprehending the fleeing criminals.
