Follow Us on Google
From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
An attempted cult initiation in the polytechnic town of Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has been foiled by operatives of the state police command.
Although, no arrest was made as the suspects fled to different directions upon sighting the police, one locally fabricated Berretta pistol and four rounds of live ammunition were recovered when the premises was searched.
However, a notorious cultist, one Godfrey Tietie popularly known as Don Baby, was apprehended in Sapele with a locally made revolver pistol.
Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Bright Edafe confirmed the incidents in a statement on Monday.
Edafe said the 40-year Tietie is member of Aiye confraternity who suspected to be a gun runner, supplying guns to cultists in Sapele, Oghara and environs.
According to Edafe, the suspect who hails from Oghara, is believed to be terrorising the community and it’s environs.
Edafe also confirmed the recovery of one AK-47 rifle contained in a sack that was abandoned by fleeing suspects around Second Niger Bridge in Asaba.
He also said operatives recovered another AK-47 rifle, one pump action gun, two locally made cut-to-size guns and seven rounds of 7.62mm ammunition during separate operations in Warri area of the state.
In one of the operations, Edafe said operatives trailed the hoodlums to their hideout at Aladja Grammar School in Aladja Town, Udu Local Government Area, adding that upon sighting the police, the hoodlums took to their heels.
“A search was conducted immediately around the uncompleted building and a sack bag was found. Upon searching the sack bag, the following items were recovered: one AK-47 rifle, one magazine loaded with seven rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions, one English pump action gun with three live cartridges, and two cut-to-size double barrel gun,” he said.
Edafe stated that at Ekpan area, some suspects invaded a compound but later ran away, abandoning a sack when a civilian security operatives flashed their torchlight.
“Upon close look into the sack, two locally made single barrel guns, all detachable with 18 live cartridges. The DPO detailed the men of the division to the scene, where firearms and ammunition were recovered and registered as exhibits,” he said.
He noted that efforts were on to trace and identify all the suspects in all the cases.
