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• Onslaught on kidnappers, robbers, cultists intensified
From Ben Dunno, Warri
The zero tolerance policy on insecurity of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, is paying off in Delta State. One of the results was the onslaught by the police command launched against kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists. It led to discovery of arms cache in the forest of Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, said: “Three AK-49, two AK-47 rifles and 207 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, were recovered by a team led by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Agbarho Police Station, CSP Josephine Ekebuike, during a sting operation.”
It was gathered that approval to invade the forest was given by the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, in line with the zero policy of the IGP.
The team moved into the forest after finding intelligence provided by a member of a vigilance group (name withheld) credible. The member had earlier monitored activities of the criminal gang allegedly responsible for series of kidnapping incidents in the area.
The Warri Urban Security Network (WUSN), expressed gratitude to men and officers of the command for their renewed commitments in the on going war against violent crimes, especially kidnapping and cultism.
A statement by Chief Frank Onoriode and Dafe Okpako, Chairman and Secretary respectively, WUSN, said: “In the last 10 months or thereabouts, cases of kidnapping of commercial vehicles along the East-West Road, precisely at the Patani/Evwreni/Ughelli axis, became so rampant that motorists plying that major road do so with fears of not becoming the next victims.
“We have in the past written to the previous Commissioners of Police and other security agencies on the activities of these criminals on that length of road and it seems they are helpless. It was when the current Police boss, CP Abaniwonda assumed office that we began to see deliberate and conscious efforts at combating the ugly trend on these major highways.
“It was as part of his strategy at combating this high profile criminal cases that Abaniwonda set up Special Squad led by ASP Julius Robinson, at the Ughelli Area Command, to work in conjunction with the Divisional Headquarters there in checking the excesses of kidnappers and cultists in that area. We have been seeing the results of the gallantry of these men in the arrest and recovery of arms and ammunition from suspected criminals.
“The discovery of the arms cache at Agbarho last week Thursday, May 30, 2024, was another feather in the cap of the men and officers of Delta State Police Command.
“Our research over the years has shown that Agbarho community, is one of the most notorious places where these criminals hibernate after they have carried out their heinous crimes, especially along the highways. The recovery of dangerous weapons was a huge achievement, mostly during this period the police appeared determined to win the on going war against criminals.”
Coordinator, Delta Peace and Security Vigilance Group (DPSVG), Jonathan Onopite, noted that with this latest discovery the number of AK-49 and AK-47 recovered had come to eight. He cited the ones the Commissioner of Police Special Squad in Ughelli, led by ASP Robinson recovered on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from the leader of a dreaded kidnapping kingpin (name withheld) in Ughelli North LG, with 10 rounds of live ammunition. The suspect later died in the hospital as a result of bullet injuries sustained.
He also mentioned the incident of May 9, 2024, where the Special Team acting on technically generated intelligence stormed Oghara and arrested a 28-year-old suspected member of Eiye confraternity, resident in Oghara.
The suspect led the operatives to a hotel in Koko Junction, Oghara, where another suspect aged 46-year-old and member of Eiye confraternity was arrested and an automatic pump action gun was recovered from him.
Onopite: “Consequently, upon further interrogation of the two suspects, they led the operatives to the arrest of another 32-year-old suspect in Sapele, where one new AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine were recovered.
“Another incident was recorded on April 26, 2024. The command received an intelligence report that some suspected kidnappers were hibernating in Okuno, Orogun, hiding alongside some kidnapped victims. “CP Abaniwonda directed the DPO Abraka Division, SP Fabian Ayameh, to lead police operatives to the hideout. The DPO mobilised operatives alongside members of the Abraka Vigilance Group and hunters, stormed the bush. They engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun duel during which one of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries while others escaped.
“One AK-47 rifle and 11 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered. The two kidnapped victims (name withheld) were rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families. The injured suspect taken to hospital gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.
“Manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is on going. This brings the number of the AK-47 recovered to eight within one month.”
Dr. Ugochukwu Alozie, Coordinator, South-South Professional and Transparency Initiatives (SSPTI), noted that a lot still needed to be done on the discipline of some men and officers of the command: “Their conduct sometimes during investigations and while dealing with the civil populace still left much to be desired.
“Their attitude shows improper training regarding civil populace relations. And it doesn’t speak well, especially now that people are beginning to repose confidence in the police force in Delta State.
“However, we can attest to the efforts of Abaniwonda in grooming his men and officers on how to behave on the job. We are optimistic that this would begin to yield positive results in no distance time.”
