Operatives from the Delta State Police Command’s Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team killed two suspected kidnappers at their hideouts on Ewheru-Patani Road in the state’s Ughelli Local Government Area.
This was revealed in a statement signed and issued by the state public relations officer, SP Bright Edafe, in Warri on Wednesday.
According to the statement, on October 28, at approximately 19:48, CP-SAT agents assaulted criminal hideouts along Ewheru-Patani Road in Ughelli LGA based on solid intelligence.
However, during the mission, the suspected crooks ambushed the operators.
As a result, the security crew engaged the suspects in a heated gun battle, during which two of the crooks were shot.
They were rushed to the General Hospital in Ughelli for medical assistance but were pronounced dead by medics on duty.
The PPRO stated that the police squad discovered one Beretta pistol loaded with two rounds of live ammunition and one AK-47 rifle loaded with six rounds of live ammunition at the suspects’ hideout.
According to a police spokesman, early investigations have shown that the suspects were reportedly involved in terrorising the Warri-Sapele road, the Mosogar axis, and several killings in Oghara and Ughelli.
In a related incident, acting on credible intelligence, CP-SAT operatives led by ASP Julius Robinson apprehended five alleged cultists between 03:00 and 05:30 on November 4, 2024, in various areas within the Oton village and Sapele town.
The suspects are: Eremoje Dudun Oritsedere (alias ‘General’), aged 34, from Deghele community in Warri South West LGA, Delta State, but residing in Oton community in Sapele, who was alleged to have been in possession of the gang’s AK-47 rifle; Emmanuel Irhurhu, 29, of Oton community in Sapele; Godstime Jacob, 25, of Jesse community in Ethiope West LGA; Ighene Jefrry, 29, of Jesse town; and Iboyi Gain, 33, of Mosogar community in Ethiope West LGA.
The police stated, “Preliminary investigations revealed that they are suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity. They were arrested based on confessions made by one Philip Okunumah (alias ‘G3’), 28, of Jesse, who had earlier been arrested and confessed to a series of cult-related killings.”
The suspects were found in possession of an abandoned operable Toyota Corolla with the registration number KWL 635 BU as well as a Beretta pistol loaded with four live rounds.
Meanwhile, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, the state commissioner of police, has asked parents and guardians “to discourage their children and wards from engaging in any cult-related activities.”
Abaniwonda also asked the public to call the police and report any suspicious people or activity in their vicinity.
