From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Abass, yesterday ,said his men arrested 72 suspected cultists, 13 suspected kidnappers and seven suspected armed robbers in the past three months.
Addressing journalists in Asaba, Abass added that while nine kidnapped victims were rescued, 54 firearms, 286 ammunition and 195 cartridges were recovered during the period under review.
Abass said the command has since keyed into the plan by the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, to stamp out violent crimes with a number of strategies that have yielded results.
“Part of my first major shake-up in the command was the redeployment of the then DPO Ovwain Aladja to Ekpan owing to the volatile nature of that area.
“You will agree with me that Ekpan which used to be a troubled area is now very safe and residents can now go about their lawful businesses.
“In the month of September 2023, I directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations to embark on on-the-spot assessment of the Jesse Road where kidnapping was gradually becoming the order of the day.
“Consequently, security strategies were reviewed culminating in the deployment of DOPS Buffalo team, tactical teams and the command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad to the area.
“The strategy paid out as within few days of its emplacement, some suspected kidnappers were arrested while a good number of assault rifles were recovered,” he said.
Mr. Abass thanked the state government for it’s support and other sister security agencies for robust collaboration.
He also commended residents for providing useful information to security agents but warned against the practice of jungle justice.
“I would wish to use this medium to warn our youths to desist from jungle justice. Apart from being an act of self-help, jungle justice is barbaric.
“It festers a circle of violence and lawlessness thereby sabotaging the prospects of having the fundamental human rights of the victims protected.
“In several instances, victims of self-help are attacked based on frivolous allegations without being allowed access to fair hearing.
“The command will no longer tolerate this human right abuse, as anyone who engages in such practice will be identified, fished out and dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.