By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
No fewer than four suspected cultists were arrested by police operatives in Delta State at the weekend, New Nigerian Newspaper has learnt.
Two locally made cut to size guns and four live cartridges were said to have also been recovered from them.
Similarly, a suspected serial car snatcher was on Monday apprehended by police operatives, with a stolen car recovered from him.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the suspected cultists, identified as Ogbuokwu Trust, 23yrs, Augustine Solomon 20yrs, Edebatu Gideon and Kingsley Okolie, 20 yrs,were apprehended by operatives attached to the State Anti-Cult unit at their hideout at Eloke Hotel located in Issele Azagba area of the state.
The suspected serial car snatcher, identified as Mkohol Iligh, 57yrs, according to report was nabbed after a hot chase by Anti Crime Patrol Team of Ogwashi-Uku Police Station while on routine stop and search duty along Kwale/Ogwashi-Uku.on 18th April, 2022 at about 6.35am.
He was alleged to have snatched a Toyota Camry car with registration no. EFR 939 TK at about 10.00pm in Otu-Jeremi community of Ughelli South LGA.
The police public relations officer DSP Edafe Bright confirmed the report in a release made available to journalists on Tuesday.
It reads, ” On 17/4/2022, information got to the Command that a group of suspected cultists/armed robbers were hibernating at Eloke Hotel located in Issele Azagba and the location being thier meeting point before carrying out their operations. Intelligence further revealed that the syndicate monitor to know if the police are closing up on them and that whenever they suspect anything, they throw their guns from the window of the hotel and run away.
” Operatives of the State Anti-Cult unit in a carefully planned operation, raided the said hideout and arrested four suspects namely; Ogbuokwu Trust ‘m’ Age 23yrs, Augustine Solomon ‘m’ Age 20yrs, Edebatu Gideon ‘m’ and Kingsley Okolie ‘m’ Age 20 yrs. Two locally made cut to size guns and four live cartridges were recovered from them.
” In another development, on 17//4/2022, the Command received a distress call from a caller (Name withheld) that his Toyota Camry car with registration no. EFR 939 TK was snatched at about 2000hours of same date in Otu-Jeremi community of Ughelli South LGA. Information was quickly disseminated through the Command’s control room to all DPOs and Patrol teams to be on the lookout with a view to recovering the said vehicle and arresting the suspects.
“Consequently, on 18/4/2022 at about 0635hrs Anti-Crime Patrol of Ogwashi-Uku Police Station while on routine stop and search duty along Kwale/Ogwashi-Uku expressway by Olloh-Ogwashi Community, intercepted the said Toyota Camry.
” The occupant, who happens to be the driver of vehicle upon sighting the Police, abandoned the Car and took to his heels. The team went after the suspect and after a hot chase caught up with him and the suspect Mkohol Iligh ‘m’ age 57yrs was arrested.
“The suspect stated that one C.Y ‘m’ who stays in Warri gave him the car to be delivered to another person in Asaba. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting all suspects involved”.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner of Police Ari Muhammed Ali has commended the efforts of the officers.
He urged them to continue to be on their toes, and go after all criminal elements in the State with a view to making the State unbearable for them.
Ali also appreciated the efforts of residents of the state who have been supporting the command by way of information and assures them that their identity will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
