THE Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has listed some achievements of operatives of the command, just as he warned criminals to leave the state if they cannot turn a new leaf.
Abaniwonda, during the parade of suspected criminals in the state, said the police would continue to work to make the state safe for residents.
In one of the successes recorded, the police boss said: “The squad, currently stationed in Ughelli, through a high density operation, has so far successfully arrested six suspected kidnappers, recovered one Pump action gun, three berretta pistols, one revolver pistol, one locally made cut-to-size gun, and they have also rescued three kidnapped victim so far.”
Speaking further, Abaniwonda said in one of the operations by police, a suspected kidnapper was killed while two victims were rescued.
“One AK-47 rifle was also recovered from the suspects.”
He said: “On April 26, at about 9:00a.m., the command got intelligence report that some suspected kidnappers were hibernating at Okuno, Orogun Ughelli North LGA, where they were hiding alongside some of their kidnapped victims, I directed the DPO Abraka Division to lead police operatives to their hideout.
“The DPO swiftly mobilised police operatives alongside members of the Abraka vigilantes, and hunters group, stormed the bush and engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun duel during which one of the suspect sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped.
“One AK-47 rifle, and 11 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.
“The two kidnapped victims (name withheld) were rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families, while the injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.
“Manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is ongoing.”
In another case, the police boss said: “On April 11, at about 4:32p.m, following information received from an informant that his unregistered Toyota Corolla saloon car was stolen from where it was parked beside F&T Plaza Oruwhorun and that the said Toyota Corolla car was sighted along Eku/Warri Road by Oha Junction in Okpe LGA.
“On my directive, the DPO Orerokpe swiftly mobilized patrol teams alongside members of Oha local vigilantes and one Dickson Omage “m” age 47yrs of Post Office Road Effurun Warri was arrested and the car recovered with a master key.
“Further investigation and interrogation of the suspect led to the arrest of two other suspects one Samson Ekwunwa ‘m’ age 40yrs and one Kanebi Michael ‘m’ age 39yrs in Benin city on 19/04/24.
“The two suspects specializes in removing old chassis/engine numbers and replacing them with new ones before putting the vehicles for sale and equally demobilizing vehicles with car trackers.
“A total of twelve (12) suspected stolen vehicles have been recovered from Benin City and Warri respectively. Investigation is ongoing.
“Also on April 25, at about 11:00a.m, the command received an intelligence report about a suspect who produces fake alcoholic drinks in Bomadi.
“I directed the DPO Bomadi Division to work on the intel and ensure that the suspect is tracked down, arrested and brought to book. In compliance with my directive, the DPO Bomadi division led operatives to the hideout where one Chiemenam Adigwe ‘m’ aged 45yrs a native of Akpo community in Aguata LGA, Anambra State was arrested with over hundred bottles of Gordons, Chelsea, Eagle Schnapps and McDowell’s recovered.
” Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect mixes ethanol with water and adds flavor to it, then package these fake drinks in empty bottles of Gordons, Chelsea, and McDowell’s which he usually buys from Onitsha.
“The suspect also stated that when he supplies to his customers, he tell them he usually order the drinks from Onitsha. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.”
Also arrested by the command is a suspected cultist and recovery of three locally-made guns and four live cartridges.
Three suspected armed robbers were also nabbed by operatives, while a stolen tricycle was recovered, among other arrests made.
The police boss said all the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations in their cases.
