Delta police raid black spots, arrest 37 suspects

The Delta State Police Command recently stormed suspected cultists’ dens in the state, arresting no fewer than 37 persons.

The State Police Commissioner, Zanna Ibrahim, confirmed the arrest in Asaba, disclosing that the suspects were arrested on a tip-off and subsequent raid of their “hideouts in Asaba and its environs.”

Apart from the alleged cult members, suspected armed robbers and kidnappers were nabbed by operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS), Asaba, while on routine patrol.

They were intercepted in a Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. 425 DB, driven by one Ogheneware Benson in Udu Road, Warri.

On interrogation, Benson confessed that he snatched the vehicle from its owner, one Mrs. Maryann Ugberase in Effurun.

It was learnt that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oghara Police Division also arrested some suspects: Oyibo Shell, Efe Sosolobia and Ambrose Omoriyi, who abducted one Prince Onovirighose on January 23, 2016 and later killed him after collecting a ransom of N1million in Oghara town.

Items recovered from the suspects, Alkali Baba Usman said included one locally-made cut to size single barrel gun and live cartridges.

In another development, the commissioner said that one Sarah Usele of Usiefrun Community in Ughelli South Local Council of the state, reported to the police at Out-Jeremu that she was travelling with her son, Iyoma Usele (35) in her Kia car alon Usiefrun/Orhuwhorun Road, Usiefrun, when four armed men operating with two vehicles blocked them at a gun point and kidnapped him.

Respite came her way as vigilance group gave the hoodlums a hot chase and arrested one of them, identified as Efe Rueben, (31) in Okpa Road by Major Borvwe Street, Sapele, while others escaped with the victim.

Recovered from them include their operational vehicle, Toyota Avensis with Reg. No. UGH 711 AA and a driver’s licence bearing Desmond Pleasure.