This was disclosed on Monday 15th March 2021, through a press release signed by the Ag. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright.
According to him, on the 12th March 2021, the Commander State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) SP Igbaji Christopher, acted on credible information and dispatched SACU operatives to Sapele and raided a notorious cultist hideout in Oghara, stating that 15 suspected cultists were arrested and raps of substance suspected to be cocaine were recovered.
Similarly, on the 13th March 2021, information received that a cult group called Aye confraternity will be having initiation of new members to be taken place at Okpanam, Oshimili north local government area of the state.
“Immediately, the Commander SACU mobilized men to a nearby bush at Obogba village Okpanam where the initiation is to take place, 15 male and one female suspect were arrested”, noting that one Toyota Camry car recovered.
Also, on 14th March 2021, while the Ovwian Aladja Divisional patrol team were on patrol on the highway along Orhuworun/tipper garage axis they sighted armed hoodlums operating on the highway.
The image maker said that the police engaged the bandits in a gun duel but they escaped with gunshot injury and abandoned a cut-to-size locally made pistol with a live cartridge in a bag, pointing out that the exhibits were recovered while a manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.
In another development, the PPRO revealed that on 15th March 2021, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), ‘A’ Division, Warri CSP T.Y. Mahmud who acted on intelligence gathering and monitoring over a period of time, recovered a serviceable G 3 rifle with No. ET77645.
The Rifle had 15 rounds of live ammunition was behind an uncompleted building used as a worship center at Warri/Sapele road by the garage opposite Wema Bank, hidden by suspected armed bandits to carry out criminal activities.
“Manhunt for those suspected to have hidden the rifle is ongoing for them to be arrested and brought to book”, he assured.
In same vein, on 15th March 2021, information got to the police in ‘A’ Division Warri that one suspected armed robber was lynched by irate mob at Mccaiver road warri, “After due Intelligence gathering by the police, one of the suspects, Ola Tuoyo, 25 years was traced to the hospital where he was receiving treatment.
DSP Bright disclosed that the suspect suffered first degree burn just as he confessed to be a member of the robbery syndicate that invaded Mccaiver road on same night and gave the name of the deceased mobbed suspect as Idianmi, without a surname.
“The suspect in the hospital is still been closely monitored, though his chances of survival is bleak”.
Meanwhile, an escapee, one Precious Abia Azubule, who escaped from the Warri Correctional Centre, during #ENDSARS protest on 22rd October 2020, was rearrested on 9th March 2021, by operative while on patrol.
The suspect was arraigned in the Magistrate Court 4 with charge No. 46/c/2021 on two count charges of conspiracy and escape from lawful custody.
“He was sentence 7 years in each count charge totally 14 years imprisonment”, just as he added that the Command under the watch of the Police Commissioner, Mr. Ari Muhammed Ali, is doing everything possible to reduce crime and criminality in the state.
