Follow Us on Google
From Ben Dunno, Warri
Delta State Police Commissioner CP Olufemi Abaniwonda continues his crackdown on kidnappers and cultists, with the recent arrest of several suspected cult members found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
The latest arrest involved Emmanuel John Aisewowhion, 34, also known as “Small Juju,” a resident of Uwagba Community in Okpe Council area of Delta State. Aisewowhion, a native of Ewohimi in Esan-South East LGA of Edo State, is alleged to have been involved in numerous kidnappings and violent crimes in the area over the past three years.
Delta Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Bright Edafe, in a statement released to the press in Warri, revealed that Aisewowhion, a member of the Eiye confraternity, was apprehended following intelligence gathered from previous arrests related to kidnapping and cultism. A Beretta pistol was recovered from his house during a search by the police team.
“Acting on revelations by some of the suspects arrested in connection to kidnapping and cultism by the command’s special squad deployed to Ughelli, on May 24, 2024, at about 1635hrs, the special team led by ASP Julius Robinson trailed and arrested one Emmanuel John Aisewowhion, ‘m’, a.k.a “Small Juju“, aged 34yrs, a native of Ewohimi in Esan-South East LGA of Edo State, but resident at Uwagba community, Okpe Council area of Delta State,” the statement read.
“One Beretta pistol was recovered from his house and investigation further revealed that he is a member of Eiye confraternity and he got the gun from one Goodluck Sakutu, a suspected gun runner already in custody. Serious efforts to arrest other members of his gang are ongoing.”
In a separate incident, operatives on a special assignment in Ughelli, acting on the directive of CP Abaniwonda, conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Oghara town, resulting in the arrest of Philips Omomedia, 37, a suspected member of the Aro-Bagar confraternity. Omomedia, a resident of Onogo-Vor community in Ethiope West LGA, Oghara, Delta State, is believed to be involved in several cult-related killings. An Automatic Double Barrel gun with fifteen live cartridges was recovered from him.
“Sequel to a series of reported cases of cultism and gun-running in Ughellli/Warri/Sapele/Oghara and environs, operatives on special assignment in Ughelli in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, embarked on an intelligence-driven policing, stormed Oghara town and arrested one notorious cultist identified as Philips Omomedia “m” aged 37 yrs of Onogo-Vor community in Ethiope West LGA Oghara Delta State,” the statement explained.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a member of the Aro-Bagar confraternity and suspected to be involved in a series of cult-related killings was arrested and one Automatic Double Barrel gun with fifteen (15) live cartridges was recovered from him. Investigation is ongoing.”
In a third incident, a combined patrol team of policemen and federal hunters, conducting a crime prevention patrol and stop-and-search duty along Oputu road in Orhowurun community, Udu LGA, apprehended Christopher Semede, 33, after he refused to stop for a routine search. A locally made cut-to-size double barrel pistol was recovered from him.
“On May 26, 2024, at about 1700hrs a combined patrol team of policemen of the division & federal hunters who were deployed on a crime prevention patrol while on stop and search duty along Oputu road Orhowurun community in Udu LGA, flagged down a motorcyclist carrying one passenger for a routine search,” the statement said.
“The suspect refused to stop and the team chased them, during the chase one of the suspects Christopher Semede ‘m’ age 33yrs was arrested and one locally made cut-to-size double barrel pistol was recovered from him. A concerted effort to arrest the other fleeing suspect is ongoing.”
CP Abaniwonda commended the officers and men of the command for their dedication to fighting crime, urging them to continue their efforts. He emphasized the shared responsibility in ridding the state of criminals to ensure the safety of residents.
“CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commends officers and men of the command for their steadfastness in fighting crime and urges other officers to emulate the same. He noted that it is our collective responsibility to flush out criminals from the state in other to guarantee the safety of residents in the State,” the statement concluded.
The commissioner also appealed to youths to desist from engaging in criminal activities, particularly cult-related activities, highlighting the negative impact on the state’s security. He assured residents that the command will continue its efforts to apprehend and prosecute suspects until Delta State is free from all forms of criminality.
