Ndudi Anyim
Sequel to a protest staged by farmers of Abraka and Umutu over herders killings and destruction of their farm lands and crops, operatives of Abraka Police Division, Delta State Police Command, have arrested four suspects allegedly involved in the criminal acts.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, who spoke on the arrest, said the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of Abraka and Umutu led patrol teams, DSS operatives and vigilante men of Ethiope East and Ukwuani Local Govts for a joint operation to Government Reserved land Obiaruku, which led to the arrest.
Bright said: “ The opertaion was done with a view to arresting the suspected killer herders and bring the incessant kidnap and killings to an end in the area. The suspects on sighting the Police engaged the Police in a gun duel but they were repelled by the teams, during the gun duel, some of the hoodlums escaped with gunshot injuries.
“ However, four suspects, Lucky Eduvire, 31, Freedom Uguru, 33, Enita omogware, 38, and Henry Ovie, 25, were arrested and three motorcycles recovered. Manhunt for the fleeing suspects have been launched. ”
Also, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad have after series of intelligence gathering, and cultivation of informant, which has been helpful in Policing Delta state, raided a hideout behind Ibori Golf Asaba and arrested suspects who deals in illicit drugs.
“ The suspects identified as Sunday Nwankwo, 22, and Endurance Okwute,19, were arrested after a search warrant was executed in their houses, some quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and other substances suspected to be cocaine and other illicit drugs were recovered. Investigation is ongoing, ” the PPRO said.
In a similar operation, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), A’ Division Warri, T.Y Mahmud, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), mobilized Police operatives and raided a black spot at Panapina by NPA Warri where one Henry Sekodi, 35, from Gbekebor Community, Burutu LGA was arrested.
“ The suspect who confessed to be a member of Hartlust Confraternity also confessed his activities of collecting ransom from people sometime in 2018, other cult members mentioned are one Terry Alfred, Kewie surname unknown, Moses Kaide, who is the leader of Hartlust Confraternity. Effort is being intensified with a view to arresting other members of the gang, ” Bright added.