Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force, Delta State Command have nabbed 3 members of a kidnapping gang terrorizing Sapele, Oghara and Abraka axis of the state.
The police revealed that no fewer than 43 suspected cultists were apprehended across the state in a multiple raid action carried out by the police.
This was disclosed on Thursday March 17th 2022, by the State Commissioner of Police, Ari Muhammed Ali, while parading the suspects before journalists in Asaba, the State capital.
According to the police boss, on 15/3/2022, while acting on intelligence gathered, operatives from the command Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime squad trailed a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating within Sapele, Oghara and Abraka axis.
“The kidnappers were trailed to their hideout in Oghara where three suspected kidnappers were successfully neutralized by the operatives and two AK 47 rifles, three pump action guns and 62 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
Ali, said: “I immediately directed the Command State Anti-Cultism Unit, Dragon Patrol, Eagle-net special squad and Safe Delta Patrol teams to Jesse town with a view to ensuring that sanity is immediately restored in the Community.
“Consequently, three members of Arobaga confraternity namely: Victor John Nelson Friday and Festus Friday who were alleged to have killed the four members of Eiye confraternity were arrested and today I am glad to say that they are here with us”, assuring that investigation is ongoing, “sanity has been restored in the community”.
It would be recalled that on 14/3/2022, a cult clash ensued between Eiye and Arobaga confraternities in Jesse community, Ethiope West local government area where four suspected cultists were killed.
As part of measures to forestall any further break down of law and order in any part of the State, the Commissioner ordered that intensive raiding be carried out on suspected cultists hideouts by DPOs in their areas of responsibilities.
“In compliance with these directives, the DPO ‘A’ Division Warri led a combined teams of Police/Vigilante Patrol teams and carried out intensive raid at Ogedengbe and Hausa quarters respectively”, saying that during the raid, 21 suspected cultists were arrested.
“The State Anti-Cultism unit and the Command raiders squad also carried out raids in different parts of the state and arrested Nineteen suspected Cultists.
“I assure you all today that the Command will not relent in the fight against Kidnapping/Cultism and is more than ever before willing to identify, raid, arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting.
“Parents and guardians are therefore urged to monitor their wards and caution them to shun all forms of criminality as anyone found wanting will be arrested and prosecuted”.
