By Augustine Ehikioya
Increasing fight against crime, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi’s special squad of Police operatives led by ASP Julius Robinson, has successfully arrested six suspected kidnappers.
This squad, currently stationed in Ughelli, also recovered one Pump action gun, three Barretta pistols, one revolver pistol and locally made gun.
A statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP. Edafe Bright and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) also said the squad rescued three kidnapped victims so far.
It said “On 17/4/2024 at about 2330hrs, while working on the credible intelligence received about a syndicate of armed robbers terrorizing Ughelli and its environs, ASP Julius Robinson led his team, in a sting operation, stormed Sapele Town and arrested the leader of one of the suspected syndicate known as Ibrahim Usman – a 35yrs male indigene of Abaji Town, Kogi State.
“At about 0530hrs of 18/4/2024, the suspect led the operatives to Itsekiri Road area of Sapele Town, where two (2) of his gang members: Joseph Aondohbmba, 22yrs of Gbeji Community in Loko LGA, Benue State and Collins Ovo (alias “Gbegbes”), a 23 yrs male suspect from Adeji Community in Okpe LGA, Delta State.
“The gang leader Ibrahim Usman took the team to his residence at Itsekiri Road, before Macpherson Area of Sapele where a Barretta Pistol hidden under his mattress was recovered. Investigation is ongoing.”
The statement also said that “On 24/4/2024, the team led by ASP Julius Robinson again stormed Ogorode Area of Sapele Town, 0730hrs and arrested one Daniel Okete m” 32 years a native of Jesse Community in Ethiope-West LGA, but resides in Sapele, Delta State.
“Upon search, a Barretta Pistol was recovered in his residence which he confessed that he bought from one Goodluck Sokutu ‘m’ also in custody, he confessed to being the third in command of Eiye Confraternity in Sapele Town.
“Also, on 25/4/2024 at about 1000hrs, while acting on the confessions from a gun runner already in custody viz Goodluck Sakuta ‘m’ operatives recovered a Barretta Pistol at an uncompleted building in Amukpe area of Sapele where it was hidden. Investigation is ongoing.” it stated.
The statement also disclosed that a case of kidnapping was reported at the ‘A’ Division, Ughellli by the husband of a kidnapped victim (name withheld), who was abducted along Isoko Road Ughellli by unknown hoodlums demanding Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500,000) as ransom for the victim’s release.
The Divisional Police Officer, CSP Sadiq, it said, immediately detailed ASP Julius Robinson to lead his team of operatives on special assignment.
“On 22/4/2024 at about 1430 hrs combined teams of Police operatives and members of the vigilantes, while armed with technically generated intelligence stormed Eruemukohwarian Community in Ughellli North LGA of Delta State suspected to be the hoodlums’ hideout.
“On sighting the teams, the hoodlums took to their heels, abandoning the victim who was rescued unhurt.
“Two (2) of.the suspects: Edadfe Akporere ‘m’ 27 years of Eruemukohwarian Community in Ughellli North LGA of Delta State, and Igho Midiraya ‘m’ 34 years of Uvwianughe-Agharo in Ughellli North LGA of Delta were arrested after a hot chase by the Police operatives.”
The suspects, it said, have been identified by the victim, while efforts have been intensified to arrest other fleeing gangs.
“CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commended, the officers and team members for their relentless efforts in the fight against crime within the Ughelli – Sapele region.
“He further assured the public that these achievements, will, without doubt, send a clear message to perpetrators of crime that they will be caught, and mercilessly prosecuted with no fear or favor as provided by the laws of the land.” the statement stated.
