Operatives of CP – Special Assignment Team (CP – SAT), Delta State Police command have reportedly killed two suspected kidnappers and arrested five suspected cultists at various locations in the state.
Confirming the incident, the Police image maker, Bright Edafe said on October 28, 2024, at about 1948hrs the operatives led by ASP Julius Robinson stormed the Suspected kidnapper’s hideout along Ewheru – Patani Road In Ughellli council to effect their arrest.
According to Edafe, the Police operatives were ambushed by the suspected hoodlums, who engaged them in a fierce gun duel during which two of the suspects sustained bullet injuries.
He said, “The injured suspects were taken to General Hospital Ughelli for medical attention but were later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”
Edafe further said that “preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly responsible for terrorizing Warri – Sapele road, Masogar axis and some killings in Oghara and Ughelli.”
The suspected kidnappers, he said were found with a Beretta Pistol loaded with two rounds of live ammunition, and one AK-47 rifle loaded with six rounds of live ammunition.
For the suspected cultists, the Police spokesperson narrated how they were arrested via credible information on November 4, 2024, between 0300hrs and 0530hrs at various locations in Oton community and Sapele town.
He gave the suspected cultists names: Eremoje Dudun Oritsedere aka (General) m” 34yrs of Deghele community in Warri South West council but a resident of Oton Community in Sapele who was alleged to have in his possession the gang’s AK 47 rifle, Emmanuel Irhurhu m” 29yrs of Oton community in Sapele, Godstime Jacob m” 25yrs of Jesse community in Ethiope west council, Ighene Jefrry m” 29yrs of Jesse Town in Ethiope council and Iboyi Gain m” 33yrs of Mosoghar Community in Ethiope West council.
“The suspects were arrested on the strength of confessions made by one Philip Okunumah aka “G3″ m” 28yrs of Jesse in Ethiope West LGA Delta State earlier arrested who confessed to a series of cult-related killings,” he said.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that they are suspected to be members of the supreme Vikings Confraternity.”
He said an abandoned operational Toyota Corolla with Reg No KWL 635 BU and a Beretta Pistol Loaded with four rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda, has urged parents and guardians to discourage their children and wards from all cult-related activities and advised members of the public to contact the Police and report any suspicious persons or movements in their environment.
