29th May 2024
The Delta State Police Command has arrested no fewer than three suspects in multiple operations across the state for their alleged involvement in cultism, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that the three suspects were arrested at different locations across the state during intelligence operations.
Edafe, who identified the suspects as Emmanuel John Aisewowhion, Philips Omomedia and Christopher Semede, said they would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of an ongoing investigation.
Explaining their arrest, Edafe disclosed that Aisewowhion was arrested with a pistol in Ughelli on May 24 by police operatives. He was said to have claimed to be a member of the Eiye confraternity and allegedly got the gun from a suspected gunrunner identified as Goodluck Sakutu.
The PPRO stated further that Omomedia was arrested in the Onogo-Vor community in Ughelli following repeated reports of cult-related activities in the area.
He added, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a member of the Aro-Bagar confraternity and suspected to be involved in a series of cult-related killings. One automatic double-barrelled gun with 15 live cartridges was recovered from him.”
On the arrest of Semede, Edafe stated, “Hunters who were deployed on a crime-prevention patrol while on stop and search duty along the Oputu Road, Orhowurun community in Udu LGA, flagged down a motorcyclist carrying one passenger for a routine search.
“The suspect refused to stop and the team chased them. During the chase, one of the suspects, Christopher Semede, ‘m’, aged 33 years, was arrested and one locally made cut-to-size double-barrelled pistol was recovered from him.”
The PPRO continued that efforts were going on to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate connected to the arrested suspects.
He however assured residents of the state of the command’s commitment to rid the state of criminal elements who take pride in crimes.
“CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commends officers and men of the command for their steadfastness in fighting crime and urges other officers to emulate the same.
“He assured residents that the command will continue to identify, arrest, and prosecute suspects arrested until Delta State is free from all forms of criminality,” Edafe concluded.
PUNCH Metro reported on Sunday the arrest of some suspected armed robbers and cultists by the Delta State Police Command.
The PPRO had said that on May 18, 2024, a resident of Ekpan community (name withheld) came to the charge room and reported that he sighted a certain young man dressed in a black cloth carrying a black bag inside their compound and raised the alarm which made the suspect escape.
“But they later noticed that their pumping machine was stolen by the suspect.
“However, operatives alongside members of the community arrested one Gift Newworld of Ekpan community, and after a painstaking interrogation and investigation, will be prosecuted.
“The suspect led the police to his hideout in Ekpan where the pumping machine, one locally made cut-to-size double-barrelled gun and three live cartridges were recovered.
SOURCE:PUNCH