Joy Anyim
Three armed robbery suspects have been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command, with assorted arms recovered.
It was learnt that the suspects identified as Chuks Abah, 23, Ogbonna Micheal, 37, and Amechi Mordi, were arrested while operatives were on confidence building patrol.
Confirming the arrest of the suspects, the Spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Edafe Bright, said the suspects were part of a notorious gang terrorising major parts of the state.
Bright in a statement on Monday said the operatives that effected the arrest of the suspects were part of the Operation Delta Hawk (OPDH).
He said One locally fabricated double barrel pistol amongst other items were recovered from the gang.
The statement read: “On October 31, Operation Delta Hawk (OPDH) team 006 and 009 while on confidence building patrol at Bonsaac General Area Asaba intercepted a blue colour Qlink 150 motorcycle with Reg. No. Delta LEH 259 QN and Eng. No. QL162FNJ-1 with three occupants. The team on reasonable suspicion searched the rider and the passengers.
“Consequently, upon searching the suspects, Chuks Abah of No. 42 Zion Street Bonsaac Asaba, Ogbonna Micheal of St. Calistol Oju Oduke Asaba and Amechi Mordi of Bonsaac Asaba.
“One locally fabricated double barrel pistol was recovered from a bag allegedly belonging to the rider Chuks Abah.”
Similarly, a combined team of Police men attached to Ekpan Police Station and Effurun community vigilante have shot dead a suspected robber during a gun battle.
It was gathered that the suspects who were in possession of arms and ammunition fled on sighting the police.
The Spokesperson said the operatives, were on patrol at Aka Avenue of Jakpa road, when they sighted a group of armed men.
“On sighting the police men, the armed robbers opened fire on them and the combined team returned fire. During the gun duel, one of them sustained bullet wound while others escaped.
“The injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. One locally made pistol, one expended cartridge, one live cartridge, 26 live 5.56mm ammunition and one empty AK 47 magazines were recovered. Investigation is ongoing,” he said.
Bright added that the Commissioner of Police (CP) Ari Muhammed Ali, has assured members of the public of the commitment of the Command in tackling crime and criminality in the state.
“He also enjoined members of the public to continue to partner with the police in this fight by providing useful and timely information because the Police cannot do it alone, as security today should be taken as everybody’s business.
“The Commissioner of Police has also directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Commanders to step up visibility patrol during this ember months, intensive stop and search and continuous raiding of black spots,” he emphasised.