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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
An unidentified suspected member of an armed robbery gang in the Ekpan area of Delta State has died of injuries he sustained when security operatives aimed at him while attempting an escape.
The suspect had led operatives to their hideout along NNPC Link Road in Ekpan, in search of two fleeing members of the gang, but decided to jump into the bridge and was maimed in the process. He was confirmed dead at the Ekpan General Hospital, where he was rushed for treatment.
The Public Relations Officer of Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the development, yesterday, in a statement, narrated how trouble started for the deceased suspect.
Edafe said operatives of the Ekpan Divisional Undercover Surveillance patrol team, while on a routine patrol, along Army Barracks Link Road, off Refinery Road Ekpan, “were double-crossed by a tricycle with three occupants in their usual style of robbing innocent citizens, but, on noticing they were policemen, the hoodlums took to their heels and were given a hot chase during which one of them was arrested with a black bag that contained one cut-to-size double barrel gun and two live cartridges.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect stated that the two other suspects who escaped were his gang members, and that they usually double-crossed their victims, robbed them and, sometimes, kidnapped them.
“Following his confession, the suspect was taken to their hideout along the NNPC Link Road, where he jumped into the bridge in an attempt to escape and was maimed by the police operatives.
“The suspect was taken to the Ekpan General Hospital for medication, but was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. Effort to arrest other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.”
Edafe also confirmed the arrest of one suspect, Emeka Okafor, who is suspected to be a member of a gang of men robbing residents of Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
He said the seven-man gang, who operated in two motorcycles, had robbed an unidentified middle-aged man, adding that the police stormed the scene of crime following a distressed call.
Edafe stated that although six members of the gang escaped, efforts were intensified to smoke them out of hiding, adding that the arrested suspect and a recovered exhibit of one motorcycle were already in custody.
