…Arrest two, recover arms

From Ben Dunno, Warri

Troops of 63 Brigade/Sector 1, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, have successfully busted a criminal gang and recovered arms and ammunition in Oshimilli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The operation led to the arrest of two suspected criminals alleged to be members of a notorious cult group that had been terrorising the area and other neighbouring towns in recent times.

Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri yesterday, stressing that the operation was well coordinated and executed by the troops.

He stated that the troops had monitored the activities of the gang for a while now before the invasion that led to the arrest based on credible intelligence on the modus operandi of the criminal gang, especially after a recent operation conducted around Ibusa.

The statement reads in part: “During the operations,several weapons were recovered, including two pump action rifles  recovered from the criminals, as well as additional three pump action rifles recovered from purported local vigilantes”.

“The suspects and weapons recovered have been handed over to the relevant agency for further investigation. Furthermore, in follow up operations conducted, the area was combed, which led to the recovery of additional eight pump action rifles at Umuisiagba.”   

Thirteen 13 suspects, including Nwaokonta Elvis,  Obi Victor Woke, Uba Elijah, Nonso Ibiora, Dumbili Ezefili,  Ndefu  Ifeanyi, Ozemene Richard, Broderick Patrick, Nwaokonta Afamefile, Kelvin Ejiani, Victor Ogochukwu, Ogadi Kelvin Ikechukwu  and Ndibuisi Obiogonna  (Native Doctor), were said to be arrested. 

The Commander, 63 Brigade, Brigadier General MA Shonibare, while commending the troops for their vigilance, charged them to clampdown on all criminal networks in the area. He reassured the good people of Delta State and environs that the Brigade would continue to effectively prioritise the safety of lives and property.