By Paul Michael, Defence Editor, Abuja
Delta State Police Command has said it has arrested four suspected armed robbers/cultists as well as a serial car snatcher in a separate operations.
Force Public Relations Officer of the State, DSP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this in a press statement, said: “On 17/4/2022, information got to the Command that a group of suspected cultists/armed robbers were hibernating at Eloke Hotel located in Issele Azagba and the location being their meeting point before carrying out their operations, The Trumpet gathered.
“Intelligence further revealed that the syndicate monitor to know if the police are closing up on them and that whenever they suspect anything, they throw their guns from the window of the hotel and run away.
“Operatives of the State Anti-Cult unit in a carefully planned operation, raided the said hideout and arrested four suspects namely; Ogbuokwu Trust ‘m’ Age 23yrs, Augustine Solomon ‘m’ Age 20yrs, Edebatu Gideon ‘m’ and Kingsley Okolie ‘m’ Age 20 yrs. Two locally made cut to size guns and four live cartridges were recovered from them.”
Edafe further stated that the suspected car snatcher, Mkohol Iligh, a 57 year old man, was caught along Kwale/Ogwashi-Uku expressway by Olloh-Ogwashi Community on Monday after he tried to escape when he sighted mentioned of the Police Force on stop and search duty.
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“In another development, on 17//4/2022, the Command received a distress call from a caller (Name withheld) that his Toyota Camry car with registration no. EFR 939 TK was snatched at about 2000hours of same date in Out-Jeremi community of Ughelli South LGA.
“Information was quickly disseminated through the Command’s control room to all DPOs and Patrol teams to be on the lookout with a view to recovering the said vehicle and arresting the suspects.
“Consequently, on 18/4/2022 at about 0635hrs Anti-Crime Patrol of Ogwashi-Uku Police Station while on routine stop and search duty along Kwale/Ogwashi-Uku expressway by Olloh-Ogwashi Community, intercepted the said Toyota Camry.
“The Occupant who happens to be the driver of vehicle upon sighting the Police, abandoned the Car and took to his heels. The team went after the suspect and after a hot chase caught up with him and the suspect Mkohol Iligh ‘m’ age 57yrs was arrested.
“The suspect stated that one C.Y ‘m’ who stays in Warri gave him the car to be delivered to another person in Asaba. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting all suspects involved.”
He said the Commissioner of Police CP Ari Muhammed commended members of the public for credible information and also the efforts of officers while urging them to continue to be on their toes, and go after all criminal elements in the State.
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised an alleged member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) after a fierce gun battle at Ihioma Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops of 34 Artillery Brigade overpowered the gang who were trying to enforce the illegal sit at home order on Sunday 17th April.
He said: “Troops’ on routine patrol encountered members of the irredentist group who fired sporadically at Banana Junction to enforce the illegal sit at home order on law abiding citizens going about their legitimate businesses.
“The IPOB/ESN criminals on sighting the troops, withdrew in a blue Toyota Highlander towards Ihioma Community for reinforcement.
“In the fire fight that ensued during the operation, one of the criminals was taken out, while others fled in disarray. Troops are combing the general area in a follow up operations to track down the fleeing dissidents.
“Having suffered casualty and effectively denied freedom of action by the troops, the irredentist group have resorted to cheap propaganda to whip up public sentiments by circulating a doctored video on the social media alleging troops complicity in their mindless atrocities.”
Nwachukwu urged the public to disregard the said propaganda in its entirety.
