Follow Us on Google
From Paul Osuyi
An unidentified suspected member of an armed robbery gang in the Ekpan area of Delta State has died from injuries sustained when security operatives shot at him while he attempted to 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 off a bridge and was injured in the process.
He was confirmed dead at Ekpan General Hospital, where he was rushed for treatment.
The Public Relations Officer of Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the development on Tuesday in a statement, detailing how the incident occurred.
Edafe explained that operatives of the Ekpan Divisional undercover surveillance patrol team were on routine patrol along Army Barracks Link Road off Refinery Road in Ekpan when they were confronted by a tricycle with three occupants. The occupants, in their usual style of robbing innocent citizens, attempted to double-cross the operatives. However, upon noticing they were policemen, the suspects fled, prompting a chase during which one of the suspects was arrested. A black bag containing a cut-to-size double-barrel gun and two live cartridges was recovered.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect revealed that the two other suspects who escaped were his gang members. They usually double-crossed their victims, robbed them, and sometimes kidnapped them.
“Following his confession, the suspect was taken to their hideout along NNPC Link Road. He jumped off the bridge in an attempt to escape and was injured by the police operatives. The suspect was taken to Ekpan General Hospital for treatment but was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. Efforts to arrest the other fleeing gang members are ongoing.”
Edafe also confirmed the arrest of another suspect, Emeka Okafor, who is believed to be a member of a gang robbing residents of Okpanam in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
He said the seven-man gang, operating with two motorcycles, had robbed an unidentified middle-aged man. The police stormed the crime scene following a distress call.
Edafe stated that although six members of the gang escaped, efforts have been intensified to apprehend them. The arrested suspect and a recovered motorcycle are currently in custody.
