By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
Five suspected cultists have been arrested by the combined operatives of the Delta State Police Command and vigilante, in connection with Tuesday’s murder of one Abowa Osawe by a four-man gangsters along Shell Road, Sapele.
Those nabbed by the security operatives in connection with the crime include Timothy Clark ‘m’ age 27yrs, Patrick Mbuk ‘m’ age 29yrs, Gift Omofeye ‘m’ age 26yrs, Ogburang Samuel Ibe ‘m’ age 31yrs and Onyekachi Amadike ‘m’ age 24yrs.
The Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the State Command, DSP Edafe Bright told journalists in a signed press release that on interrogation, confessional statement of the suspects led to the arrest of one Andrew ‘m’ a.k.a. Pounds, who has been a notorious cultist terrorizing Sapele before now.
A yellow cult regalia, one locally made pistol and two cartridges were recovered from him together with the vehicle allegedly used in perpetrating the dastardly act, one Toyota Camry, red in colour with reg. no. AAA409 GL.
The police spokesman saud the suspect has already confessed to be a member of AIYE CULT as investigation continues.
In another development, the Divisional Police Officer, Ovwian Aladja Division, acting on a tip off on Tuesday that four armed men were robbing road users along Ovwian express junction Udu road, immediately mobilized patrol team in conjunction with local vigilante to the scene.
The hoodlums on sighting the patrol team opened fire on the team, while the team returned the fire and gunned down one of the hoodlums just as the others escaped.
One locally made double barrel pistol with two cartridges was recovered from the syndicate as manhunt for the fleeibg suspects is ongoing.
Also, on Wednesday, acting on a distress call from one of the occupants of a building in Urhukpe Oghene Layout, along Jigbale Market, that two armed men were in the compound trying to break in and rob the occupants of the house, the Divisional Police Officer, Ovwian Aladja Division, SP Samuel Yohanna Kwabe quickly mobilized patrol teams to the scene while the criminals on sighting the police took to their heels.
They were given a hot chase by the operatives and in the process, the hoodlums abandoned one locally made pistol with two live cartridges which was recovered.
Manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
Meanwhile, the police patrol team attached to ‘A’ Division Warri, at about 18.45hrs on Wednesday raided a black spot at Ubeji community in a build up to an earlier recognizance made, where suspects were captured selling suspected weeds believed to be cannabis sativa.
Considering the aggressive and violent nature and resistance of the community youths against police effecting arrest, a formidable operational plan was drawn by the divisional police officer CSP T.Y Mahmud and identified spot mark and stormed in a record time despite the community youths resistance and attack on police through sporadic gun shots and pelting of stones.
Police men through courage and resilience were able to arrest one Monday Akpako ‘m’ who is the principal suspect and has confessed to be a major dealer in cannabis. Investigation is ongoing.