By Augustine Ehikioya
To check crime in Delta State, Police officials in the State have arrested some armed robbery and kidnap suspects.
Among those arrested included suspects who specialize in stealing vehicles.
Items recovered included guns, ammunition, stolen vehicles, and four master keys.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
The statement said “On the 18/01/2022 at about 1500hrs, a distressed caller (Name withheld) informed the DPO, Otu-Jeremi Division that on the 12/01/2022 at about 2230hrs, he was kidnapped in front of his house to an unknown destination along with his vehicle by unknown armed hoodlums.
“However, on the 17/01/2022 at about 2200hrs he escaped from his abductors at Owhorode Udu in Udu LGA. The DPO, Ovwian-Aladja Division was immediately contacted and on receipt of this information, he swiftly mobilized and led Police operatives to the scene.”
The statement said that the hoodlums escaped on sighting the Police.
It added “Upon searching their hideout, the following exhibits were recovered; one cut to size locally made gun, one Beretta pistol with eight rounds of live ammunition, one handcuff, six (6) assorted phones, nineteen (19) sim cards, one UBA ATM card, one wristwatch, one jackknife and cash sum of thirty five thousand naira (N35,000).
Manhunt for the fleeing suspects, the statement said, is ongoing.
The statement also revealed that on 18/01/2022, the DPO, Sapele Division received a distressed call that a two man armed robbery gang were operating at No.6 Power Close, Okirigbaga in Sapele.
“Consequently, The DPO, Sapele Division, CSP Harrison Nwabusi detailed and led Police patrol team to the scene, the team upon arrival cordoned the area and laid ambush.
“One of the suspects named Liyo Okiri ‘m’ age 25yrs was arrested and one locally made pistol, two live cartridges and one expanded cartridge were recovered.”
It said that manhunt for the other suspect is ongoing.
Also, it said “On the 17/01/2022 at about 2200hrs a distressed caller (name withheld) reported at Enerhen Police Station that at about 2145hrs, while he was sitting in his Toyota Camry car with Reg. no. WWR457LS, Chassis no. 4T1BE46KX8U775688, Engine no. 2AZ9070187 black in color at Thermocool premises opposite Ecobank, Udu Road in Udu LGA, some hoodlums double crossed him with a custom colored Highlander jeep, pointed a gun at him and forcefully robbed him of his car along with the following items; Iphone 12 Pro valued N600,000, Oppo phone valued N195,000, two gold chain valued N380,000 and Apple series wristwatch valued N150,000.
“The DPO, Enerhen Division detailed Police detectives to investigate. Upon a technical intelligence led investigation, the vehicle was located at Orhuwhorun in Ovwian-Aladja. The Armed robbers replaced the vehicle number plate with another with reg. no. TDU269AA.”
The statement said the vehicle was recovered, while manhunt for the hoodlums is ongoing.
“Similarly on 18/1/2022, a Toyota Haice Bus with two occupants was intercepted by Police Operatives attached to Sapele Division while on stop and search duty.
“Upon searching the vehicle, four master keys usually used for removing vehicles from where parked were recovered. Two suspects arrested while investigation is ongoing,” it stated.