The Delta State Police Command has said it recovered over N2 million in cash, 170 arms and ammunition from various criminals including armed robbers and kidnappers within the periods of 25th July through September 5th, 2024.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi disclosed this during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Asaba, Thursday, expressing the command’s commitment to curtail criminality in the state.
According to Abaniwonda, “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of Ebrumede division while on patrol duty intercepted a tricycle conveying six-passengers. The suspects on sighting the Police attempted to escape but the operatives chased and arrested them. Upon search of the suspects, N2,344,000 (two million, three hundred and forty-four thousand naira) was recovered. Some suspected stolen phones were also recovered. Further investigation revealed that the phone belonged to their kidnapped victims and the money was part of the ransom the victims paid for their freedom.
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“On 12/8/2024 at about 0430hrs operatives of CP Special Squad while on investigation alongside a suspected kidnapper Joel Ochuko Ofoye ‘m’ who was earlier arrested on 18/7/2024, the suspect led the operatives to Ewu community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State on the trail of a gun runner who supply arms to them. While they were on his trail, the team came under attack by the suspect’s gang members in a bid to free the said Joel Ochuko.
The Police overpowered the hoodlums as they fled with bullet injuries, the suspect Joel Ochuko Ofoye was hit during the gun duel, and he was taken to General Hospital Ughelli where he died while receiving treatment. One Beretta Pistol with four (4) rounds of live ammunition, one pump action with nine (9) rounds of cartridges, and one locally fabricated revolver pump action was recovered and a manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
“On 4/9/2024, Police undercover surveillance team attached to ‘B’ division Asaba while on undercover patrol duties along Okwe road, Oko Market Asaba, they sighted a Toyota Avalon with Reg. number JJT 253 AJ. On sighting the Police, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and took to their heels. Upon search of the vehicle, three locally made cut-to-size guns, one pump action gun, and three live cartridges were recovered. Investigation is ongoing.
“On 25th July 2024, at about 2000hours, operatives of the command Dragon Patrol while on stop and search duty along Asaba-Agbor expressway intercepted one Jammed Abdulahi Shola ‘m’ aged aged 39yrs, driving a green Toyota vehicle. Upon search of the vehicle, three hundred and twenty packs of codeine, one hundred and twenty-five sachets of tramadol, and other hard drugs in large quantities were recovered from him. Investigation is ongoing.”
