The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Ari Muhammed Ali, FCIA, psc, has said the Command will never relent in its effort to fight against crime and criminalities in the state.
He said the command will always sustain its force and ensure that criminally minded individuals will not see the state as a haven.
The CP made this known in a press briefing on ‘The Achievements Made By The Delta State Police Command from June 2021 to August 4, 2021, at the Police Headquarters, Asaba, the state capital on Wednesday, August 4, 2021.
According to the CP who revealed some of the achievements of the command said: “Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, I once again welcome you to this briefing which creates a platform for us to interact and to showcase some of the Command’s achievements in crime control and management in the state.”
“The successes recorded so far is a credit not only to the Police but to all well-meaning persons who have been assisting us by providing us with timely and useful information in the fight against criminal elements in the state. My primary assignment is to provide adequate security for the good people of Delta State and to ensure Delta state is safe for all.”
“Yesterday Tuesday 3/8/2021, I had another stakeholder meeting with Fulani herders and farmers in the state at the police officers mess, Okwe, with the DG on security to the Delta state government Hon David Tonwea representing the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. I emphasize the need for peaceful coexistence between the herders and farmers, I also looked at their challenges, and modalities have been put in place to see that the herders/farmers crisis come to a halt in Delta State.”
“In compliance with the State Government covid-19 imposed curfew in the state from 0000 hrs – 0400 hrs to stop the further spread of the covid-19 pandemic, raid/ restriction of movements are been carried out by the Command on daily basis and suspects arrested are being charged to mobile court set up by the state government. The command is aware of the danger of the covid-19 pandemic and the recent awareness by the federal government on the 3rd wave of the pandemic. The command will sustain its effort to ensure that there is no further spread of the covid-19 virus in the state while advising members of the public to comply with all Covid 19 protocols.”
According to the breakdown of some of the achievements in the recent past, the CP said: “The Command has rescue kidnapped victims, arrest three suspected kidnappers and recover two (2) AK 47 rifles, five magazines, forty-two live ammunition.”
The CP said “Sequel to earlier reported case of the kidnap of one Gloria Edowhouoro of Ekpuda ‘f’ on the 30/7/2021 in Otu-Jeremi, the DPO Agbarho Division acting on a tip-off that kidnappers were heading towards Agbarho area, mobilized and led a joint team of police and vigilante, intercepted the kidnappers who quickly reversed and sped off. The suspect one Joel Akatakpo ‘m’ 28yrs was chased and arrested. On 2/8/2021 at about 0530hrs the DPO Otu-Jeremi arrested two (2) additional suspects: namely, Eseoghene Ogbogbo ‘m’ 36yrs and Telneson Juma m’ 30yrs at Agbarho and Uwamugie communities in Ughelli North Local Government. When the search was conducted in Telneson Juma house, two (2) AK 47 rifles with breach Nos. 04174 and 30746, with NPF inscription written on it, forty-two (42) live ammunition loaded in five magazines were recovered. The victim was rescued unhurt while a manhunt for two other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.
“Similarly on the 1/8/2021 at about 1842hrs, acting on the information received that Nine armed men emerged from the bush and kidnapped occupants of some vehicles on transit, the DPO Ofuoma mobilized and led police/vigilante patrol teams to the scene, the surrounding bushes were combed, the kidnappers abandoned the kidnapped victims in the bush and fled. The six (6) victims were rescued unhurt, the manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.”
The CP also explained the arrest of a murder suspect and ritualist: he said “Sequel to the missing person report received by the Command on 2/8/21 at about 1456hrs of one Mrs. Patience Komore aged 50yrs, who disappeared after leaving for Umeh market in Isoko south LGA to get fish. I directed the Divisional police officer Oleh to unravel the mystery behind her disappearance.
“The DPO Mobilized police operatives, vigilante, and community leaders who continuously worked together and gathered information regarding the case. Acting on a tip-off, on 3/8/2021 at about 1300hours, One Onos Simon m’ age 25yrs an Okada man was arrested, the Okada rider was the same person who carried the woman on that faithful day. On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the killing of the missing woman Mrs. Patience Komore in connivance with one Akpoghene Shoemaker ‘m’ now at large.”
“They raped her and robbed her of the sum of forty thousand before killing her using a machete. Not only did they kill her, but they also removed her eyes and private part for ritual purposes. The suspect also confessed that one lucky Daniel of Ohio town contracted them to bring the body part for him after paying them one hundred thousand nairas (#100,000). The decomposing corpse has been recovered and deposited in the mortuary. Members of the public are hereby urged to assist the police with useful information that can lead to the arrest of the fleeing Akpoghene shoemaker and lucky Daniel.” The CP added.
The CP also declared war against Cultism in the state as he said
“During the period under review, the command arrested over one hundred suspected cultists in Asaba, Ogwashi-Uku, Agbor, Warri, Sapele, and Ukwani LGAs. Exhibit recovered from them includes locally made guns, double barrel shot guns, and pump action. Some of them have been charged to court while others are still undergoing investigation. The command is doing everything possible to get rid of cultists in the state.”
Also, the CP revealed how the Command arrested a suspect who faked the disappearance of his daughter.
He said “On 20/7/2021 at about 1315hrs, a case of a missing person was reported at ‘B’ division Warri of a missing 21 yr Old girl by the name Stephanie Solomon Oghenevoke. On a quick reaction, the command issued a press statement to that effect. Members of the public who saw the publication on various online media and newspapers informed the police that she was seen around Okpaka in Udu local govt. The police moved to the area and arrested a friend of the girl, The suspect confessed that the father of the girl Mr. Solomon odjiwwuderhie asked to please allow the girl to stay with them for some time. The girl’s father was immediately arrested, and he confessed that he masterminded the girl’s disappearance because the mother of the girl is owing to the girl’s boss a huge amount of money close to the sum of fifty million Naira (#50,000,000). They believe that with the disappearance of the girl, her boss won’t have the guts to demand his money.”
The CP further revealed another development on how the command also arrested an armed robbery suspect and recover arms and ammunition, he said:
“On 3/8/2021 at about 1400 hours, acting on credible information gathered, surveillance team attached to GRA Division Asaba arrested one Abraham Umar ‘m’ age 27yrs, Ibrahim Abo m’ age 30yrs, and Nuru Ali ‘m’ age 20yrs all from Adamawa state. They were arrested at No. 1 Waterholic Street, off Midwifery road Asaba. Suspects while on interrogation confessed and led the operatives to their hideout where their operational weapon was kept. The exhibit recovered includes one English Barreta pistol, one locally-made revolver pistol, two cartridges, one round of 9mm ammunition. The investigation is ongoing.”
He said the command also arrest some suspected cultists and recover one cut to size single barrel gun.
“On the 26/7/2021 at about 2310hrs, Raider Operatives in collaboration with Anti-Cult Volunteer corps raided some black spots and criminal hideout in Sapele town two male suspected cultists by name This Gbamnido ‘m’ 30yrs and Bobo Otuma ‘m’ 30yrs when search one (1) cut to size single barrel gun, one (1) battle-ax, one (1) present IGP portrait and one (1) cutlass was recovered and both confessed to being Eiye confraternity members. The investigation is ongoing.”
The CP also mentioned another arrest of suspected armed robbers/kidnappers/cultists and how the command recovers a fabricated Barretta pistol with three 9mm live ammunition.
“ON 2/7/2021 At about 0925 hours, RRS operatives while on patrol along Udo road warri arrested the following persons namely prince Onotanare ‘m’ Age 22yrs, Gift Ogbeje ‘m’ age 19yrs, Lucky Egere ‘m’ age 22yrs old, Charles Eungu ‘m’ 25yrs, Joshua Onatseye ‘m’ age 22yrs old. During the search, a fabricated barrel pistol with three 9mm lives ammunition. They all confessed to being members of Aiye and JVC confraternity respectively.”
Also, the CP revealed the recovery of one AK 50 rifle, one magazine and 19 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
“On 15/7/21, the Commander RRS and team while on visibility patrol along Ibusa/Ogwashi-Uku/Issele Azagba road, on getting to a certain point after Ogwashi-Uku Poly, came across a group of four young men who emerged from the bush but On noticing the presence of the operatives ran back into the bush. The operative gave them a hot chase which led to an exchange of gunfire. However, realizing that the police had the upper hand against them, they threw away one AK50 rifle with breach no NA48333 containing a magazine loaded with nineteen rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. Manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.”
The CP further said the command also arrest OF suspected impersonators and recover a suspected stolen vehicle with a toy pistol.
“On 31/7/21 RRS operatives while on stop and search duty at head bridge Asaba intercepted a Ford vehicle with REG No. 9791F7 with two occupants, one Bankole Odusi ‘m’ of No. 19 Sango I joke street Lagos wearing a police uniform and Samuel Idowu ‘m’ 49yrs of No. 1 Olatunji Mall market Lekki Lagos who was wearing a T-shirt with police color. Upon search, A Toy Beretta pistol was recovered from them. On interrogation, they initially said they were police officers, but later admitted to being spy police. The investigation is ongoing.”
Lastly, the CP said the command also arrest some serial kidnappers and recover three single barrel guns, one locally made cut to size gun.
“On the 28/7/2021 at about 2100hrs, acting on intelligence gathered over a period concerning a kidnap suspect who has been terrorizing Agbor and its environs, the Area Commander Agbor detailed surveillance team to Alifikede. The operatives on arrival surrounded the area which made it impossible for the suspects to escape. The operation was a huge success as one Adamu Bayero ‘m’ 43yrs old who had a bullet injury sustained from the gun duel with Police during previous kidnap operation and one Mohammed Ahmed ‘m’ 26yrs old were arrested. Further investigation led to the recovery of three (3) single barrel rifles, one (1) locally made pistol, and nine (9) cartridges. The suspect took detectives to their hideout in Ogah bush, where their other gang members ambushed the police, serious gun duel ensued, the two suspects in an attempt to escape were caught up in a crossfire, sustained gunshot injuries. They were taken to the hospital where they gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. One additional locally made cut to size gun was recovered from the scene.”
However, from the achievement reviewed, the CP finally said “With the period under review, it will be observed that the command is not relenting in its tireless effort and fight against crime and criminalities. The command will sustain this force and ensure that criminally minded individuals will not see the state as a haven for them.” The CP added.
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