Operatives of the Delta State Police Command on Special assignment in Ughelli axis, led by ASP Julius Robinson, have arrested a suspected cultist who was also accused of gun-running.
This was contained in a statement signed by the police public relations officer PPRO for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, on Monday.
Edafe said the operatives, acting on credible intelligence on Saturday at about 1130hrs, stormed Jesse junction and effected the arrest of one Ufoma Omene (55), of Mosogar in Ethiope West LGA Delta State but resident at Jesse junction area of Sapele town.
He added that upon search of the suspect’s residence, “a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle with a revolver-like magazine and 13 rounds of 7.6mm ammunition were recovered.”
The police statement noted that in addition to his involvement in a series of crimes in the area, Omene was also suspected to be a member of the Eiye confraternity.
He said an investigation is ongoing into the matter.
He said, “In another development, acting on credible intelligence gathered on the activities of suspected armed robbers and kidnappers in the Kwale axis in the Delta North area, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda has directed the Commander Quick Response Squad to work discreetly on the intelligence.
“Acting on this directive, the Squad Commander, SP Osadolor Godwin on Saturday at about 1140hrs led a surveillance team attached to Kwale Division and stormed the suspects’ hideouts in an uncompleted building.
“Two suspects upon sighting the police reportedly opened fire and escaped in the process. But the police recovered from the hoodlums three locally made guns, two pump action guns, one AK 47 magazine, 34 rounds of live cartridges and 51 rounds of AK 47 ammunition.”
The PPRO also stated that the effort to arrest the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda has assured the people of Delta State that “under his watch, all law-abiding residents and non-residents will sleep with their two eyes closed while noting that support from members of the public is highly needed for effective policing.”
The CP admonished members of the public to always reach out to the command in cases of distress either by reporting to the nearest Police Station or calling the control room number 08036684974.
