Police Arrests Six Suspected Armed Robbers And Kidnappers Disguising Themselves As Vigilantes In Delta

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Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested six suspected armed robbers, and kidnappers and recovered three pump action guns, four locally made guns, and native charms.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, in a statement on Saturday, December 17, 2022, said investigation later revealed that the suspects were hoodlums who operate under the guise of being vigilante members from Ovwian Aladja, but sneaked into Ekpan community in a Sienna vehicle, rob and kidnap unsuspecting people.

According to the PPRO, police operatives attached to Ekpan Police Station deployed on patrol along Jakpa Road, intercepted an ash-colored Toyota Sienna space bus without a registration number conveying six male occupants.

The policemen on suspicion subjected them to a search during which three pump action guns, four locally made guns, one long axe, seven expended cartridges, nine live cartridges, native charms, three cutlasses, and two number plates were recovered.

When interrogated, the suspects could not give a reasonable account of themselves hence they were taken into custody.

Three victims of armed robberies and kidnappings in the area identified the suspects when they were placed on an identification parade.

“On 15/12/2022 at about 2000hrs, Police operatives attached to Ekpan Police station deployed on patrol along Jakpa Road, intercepted a Toyota Sienna space bus, ash in colour without registration number conveying six male occupants,” the statement read.

“The Policemen on suspicion subjected them to a search during which three (03) pump action guns, four (04) locally made guns, one (01) long axe, seven (07) expended cartridges, nine (09) live cartridges, native charms, three (03) cutlasses, two (02) number plates were recovered.

“The suspects, Aaron Okorigwe ‘m’ aged 27yrs and five others could not give a reasonable account of themselves, were taken into custody. An investigation later revealed that they were hoodlums who operate under the guise of being members of a hunters group from Ovwian Aladja, but sneaks into Ekpan Community in a Sienna vehicle, robbed and kidnap unsuspecting, after robbing them, they run to hibernate in Ovwian Aladja.

“Following these findings, on 16/12/2022, the DPO invited three victims (names withheld), all of whom were at various times victims of armed robberies, and kidnappings in the area, and placed the suspects on an identification parade, the victims identified the suspects as the syndicate that robbed and kidnapped them. An investigation is ongoing.”