Ndudi Anyim
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested many suspected cultists, among whom are, Omoyevwe Emmanuel, 29, and Marcus Michael, 24, for killing an alleged member of another cult group, Aiye Confraternity, Ebeni Jelekun in Otu-Jeremi area of the State.
The suspects, led by one Oghenerona Goddy, alias, king Jaja of Ekakpmre/Egbou Hurie communities, Otu-Jeremi, attacked the deceased on March 24.
According to the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect in a statement, charms and other implicating items were found with the suspects.
Bright said: “ A distress call was received from the Ekakpmre Police Out-post under Otu-Jeremi Police Division, that members of a confraternity cult group, went to the home of one Ebeni Jelekun, 29, who belong to Aiye confraternity cult group, shot him severally and fled. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Pius Eredei, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), led patrol teams to the scene.
“ Six expanded ‘AA’ cartridges were recovered, the victim was rushed to Otu-Jeremi General Hospital where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, corpse deposited in the hospital’s mortuary. The DPO intensified effort to arrest the suspects, and as a result, two cultists were arrested with charms recovered from them, and investigation is still ongoing.”
In another development, the Police in Oghara have recovered the body of a suspected motorcycle robber.
The PPRO said operatives received a report from an indigene of Oviade community that he came across three boys armed with a short barrel gun.
“ He said they blocked his path attempting to snatch his unregistered Daylong motorcycle but he was able to escape from them and raised alarm that attracted passersby, they gave them a hot chase. The DPO Oghara mobilized patrol men to the scene where they met the suspect one Gabriel Igodo, 35, already beaten to stupor.
“ The suspect was rushed to the hospital where he later died. One short barrel gun with one live cartridge was recovered. Investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects, ” he said.
Bright also confirmed the death of a suspected cultist, following a gun battle with Policemen at Oghor community in Udu Local Government Area.
While he said 11 other members of the gang were arrested, the PPRO revealed that the suspects, had been terrorizing the command and it’s environ perpetrating armed robberies, kidnappings, attack on Police officers and carting away their arms.
“ Based on intelligence gathering, the Commander, Eagle Net Special Squad, Dimka Usman, a Superintendent of Police (SP), detailed his and some civilian Anti-Cult Unit, who stormed a notorious criminal hideout in Oghor community, where some criminal elements who has been terrorising the State were hiding.
“ On arrival of the Police, a gun battle ensued between the Police and the hoodlums, which led to the arrest of Henry Ogori, 25, Kennedy Akpotu, 19, Promise Ophiomo, 24, Daniel Believe, 19, Daniel Sele, 25, Paul Zion, 25, Igah Aminu, 27, Philip Choice, 26, Joshua Ogunamen, 21, Johnson Opiomo, 22, and Joshua Godswill, 24.
“ One of the suspects, Igah Aminu, later died due to gun shot injury. Exhibits recovered includes; two English made beretta pistols, three rounds of live 9mm caliber of ammunition and six mobile phones. Suspects have confessed to the crime and effort is intensified for the possible arrest of the fleeing suspects who escaped with bullet injuries, ” he said.
The Command spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ari Muhammed Ali has vowed to make the State unbearable for criminal elements.