A suspected armed robber met his Waterloo on Wednesday, April 3, when his gang engaged operatives in Delta State Police Command in a gun duel, while four others were arrested.
Recovered from the gang were a locally-made gun and live cartridges.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed this in a statement on Saturday, April 6, said that before the death of the suspect and arrest of others, the Commander, Safe Delta, deployed police operatives to Isah Community, Ogwashi Uku, in response to a distress call at about 9:45am on Wednesday from a resident that hoodlums bearing guns were shooting sporadically in the community forest.
According to the PPRO, as the operatives arrived at the scene of incident, they were engaged in a fierce gun duel by the hoodlums, during which one of the suspects sustained bullet injuries.
A locally-made double-barrel cut-to-size gun, and three live cartridges were recovered from the scene, he said.
The PPRO stated further: “The wounded suspect was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, for medical attention but was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
“Four other suspects were arrested at the scene and identified as Abua Prosper, Nduka Ashiedu, Abua Monday, and Ogor Okocha, all from Isah Ogwashi Uku community.
“The arrested suspects and the recovered exhibits are currently in the command’s custody. Preliminary investigation is ongoing.”
Also, on Monday, April 1, at about 9am, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on routine patrol along Asaba/Benin Expressway reportedly encountered a group of about six gunmen, all armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.
Edafe said: “On sighting the operatives, the suspects, in a bid to escape, had an encounter with them. In the gun duel, two of the suspected robbers were arrested with serious gunshot injuries.
“They were immediately taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead, while other suspects escaped.
“One locally made cut-to-size double-barrel gun loaded with two live cartridges and a battle axe were recovered. Efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
In another incident, on Thursday, April 4, at about 5pm, the PPRO said that the command got credible intelligence on inter-confraternity clashes between different cult groups ongoing in Ogwashi-Uku and its environs.
This, he stated, made the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, to direct the operatives of Raiders Squad to work meticulously on the gathered intelligence and bring adequate result to that effect.
Following the CP’s directive, the operatives were said to have raided one hotel in Issele–Azagba, and during the raid, a 29-year-old male suspect, Joseph Jonathan, a native of Ika North-East, was arrested.
When a search was conducted, items recovered included a locally-made cut-to-size double -barrel guns and three live cartridges; a black bag used to conceal the pistol and a charm designed cowries.
“During interrogation, Jonathan confessed to being a member of Eiye Confraternity. Exhibits and suspects are in custody. Investigation is ongoing as efforts are on top gear to arrest other members of the gangs, SP Edafe said.
