By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
At least, five assorted firearms, ammunition and cartridges have been recovered from suspected cultists and hoodlums by police operatives in Delta State, New Nigerian Newspaper has learnt.
Three suspected members of Jurists Confraternity, identified as Emmanuel Egbegbor Boms, 36, Obus Obukoko, 32 and Moses Omoko were also apprehended in connection with the firearms and cult activities.
Out of the firearms, an AK- 49 rifle, two (02) magazines loaded with 41 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one locally made double barrel gun with two live cartridges were said to have been recoverd from some members of Jurists Confraternity.
Others, which include one cut-to-size single barrel gun, a cut-to-size double barrel gun, one single barrel gun, a cutlass and sack bag containing large portion of substances suspected to be crystal meth (ICE), cocaines, and thirteen wraps of Indian hemp, according to report were recoverd in a Toyota Corolla vehicle during a stop and search by operatives at Ofuoma Ughelli area of the state.
The Delta State Police Command Spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, who made the disclosure, gave a breakdown of the recovery and arrest in a release to journalists on Tuesday.
It reads, ” On 21/10/2023 at about 2336hrs, acting on credible intelligence about the activities of some suspected armed cultists of Jurists Confraternity around DSC Quarters in Udu LGA, who has been terrorizing innocent citizens, the DPO Ekpan division CSP Aliyu Shaba led surveillance team of the Division to DSC Quarters in a coordinated operation and arrested one Emmanuel Egbegbor Boms ‘m’ aged 36yrs and Obus Obukoko ‘m’ aged 32yrs.
” Preliminary investigation revealed that they are suspected members of Jurists Confraternity; and on 22/10/2023 at about 1415hrs the suspects led the operatives to the hideout of another member of the gang one Moses Omoko ‘m’ at SEDCO Area Enerhen, the suspected was arrested, and the following exhibit were recovered: One (1) AK-49 rifle with two (02) magazines loaded with forty-one (41) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one locally made double barrel gun with two (02) live cartridges. Suspects and exhibits are in custody and investigation is ongoing.
” On Wednesday, 18 October 2023 at about 1530hrs Ofuoma division’s Patrol team while on stop and search duty at Ofuoma Ughelli North LGA intercepted a Toyota Corolla Vehicle (Reg NO: AAA97FS).
” Upon sighting the police, the male driver took to his heel into the nearby bush, where he was given a hot chase but to no avail. When search was immediately carried out on the vehicle, the following items were recovered: One Cut-to-Size single barrel gun; One Cut-to-Size Double Barrel Gun; One Single Barrel Gun; One Cutlass; and sack bag containing large portion of substances suspected to be crystal meth (ICE), cocaines, and thirteen wraps of Indian hemp. Effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspect”.
According to the release, the Delta State Police Commissioner of Police CP. Wale Abass assured that the Command will continue to enhance and improve its efforts to detect and fish out criminals in the State.
He added that the Ember month’s operations are intensifying and that additional takedowns of unrepentant criminals should be expected.
