CP Wale Abass
* Recover more firearms/ammo and exhibits of crime
* CP reassures citizens of safety and committed policing
By Jon Egie
Two suspects linked to the kidnap of a couple, Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore in Ughelli on April 27 and who took a ransom of one million naira before releasing the victims have been arrested by the police.
Following the reported kidnap of the couple in Ughelli, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass psc directed the Command Decoy squad to embark on an intelligence led investigation and ensure that the kidnappers were arrested and brought to book.
Acting on the directive of the CP, on Thursday, May 11, at about 2315hrs, Operatives of the Command Decoy squad led by the commander, ASP Julius Robinson who relied on credible intelligence gathered; embarked on a sting operation and arrested one Emmanuel James ‘m’ aged 32yrs of Otor-Udu, Ughelli South LGA, who is suspected to be the leader of the gang.
The next day, at about 0230hrs, the suspect led the Operatives to Ejewu community, Udu LGA and arrested the syndicate driver, one Ejiro Peter ‘m’ aged 25yrs, a native of Kokori community in Ethiope East LGA.
They confessed to their involvements in series of armed robbery, kidnapping operations in Ughelli and Warri which includes the kidnap of Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore on April 27, 2023, at Ughelli Town and a ransom of one million naira (#1,000,000.00) was paid before the couple was released.
The same day, the suspects led the Operatives to another notorious member of their criminal gang whose real name is unknown but fondly called “oh lord” at Egbike area in Udu.
The suspect, upon sighting the police, engaged them in a gunfight and escaped through the ceiling of his apartment with bullet injuries.
When his apartment was searched, a bag containing a locally fabricated pistol and three (03) rounds of 7.62 AK47 live ammunition were recovered. Manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.
On the same timeline, Friday, May 12, the Command’s Operatives attached to Agbarho Police station were on stop and search duty when they sighted a red GLK Mercedes benz and flagged down the vehicle, the suspect on sighting the Police quickly alighted from the Benz GLK 350 vehicle with reg. number WWR 441 MD and escaped into the bush.
The vehicle was recovered to the station and searched during which, a phone number which turned out to be the phone number of owner of the vehicle was seen, and when he was contacted, he confirmed that the car was stolen from him at gun point the previous day, Thursday, May 11.
Recall that May 11 is celebrated globally as anniversary of death of reggae legend, Bob Marley.
Similarly, on the same day of Marley Night, at about 1300 hours, Operatives of Dragon 19 and 20, while on stop and search duty along Ughelli-Patani Expressway, flagged down a Toyota camry with reg no. ABC 810 DK, the suspect jumped out from the vehicle and escaped into the bush.
The vehicle was recovered, and investigations so far revealed that it was snatched at gun point on the previous day, Wednesday, May 10, in Sapele. Manhunt for the suspects is ongoing.
A week earlier, precisely, Friday, May 5, at about 1730hrs, Operatives of the Command State Anti Cult Unit (SACU), while on a joint operation with Dragon patrol, Safer highway, Raiders squad, Rapid Response Squad, RRS at Afisere /Ughelli, had arrested the duo of Tega Precious’ m’ aged 28 yrs and Ebi Marvelloveous ‘m’ aged 27 yrs, one revolver pistol two live ammunition were recovered from them.
Suspects confessed to be members of Neo black Movement (NBM) cult group. The suspects led the Operatives to their hideout, where two pump action guns, two double barrel guns, one single barrel gun, and sixteen live cartridges, were recovered. Manhunt for the other members of the gang is ongoing.
“The Commissioner of Police Delta State command, CP Wale Abass, assures residents that the Command will be working round the clock to ensure that anyone terrorizing the state will be arrested and brought to justice.” A statement issued by the Command’s PPRO, DSP Bright Edafe said.
” CP Wale Abass psc reiterates the Command’s commitment to an effective, intelligence driven, and community based policing to ensure that Deltans sleep with two eyes closed”. The statement added.
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