The Delta State Police Command reported that it had neutralised four suspected armed robbers, detained four further suspects for allegedly having firearms, and recovered firearms and substances believed to be Indian hemp.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, and shared on the command’s Twitter handle on Tuesday.
He disclosed that the four suspects were killed during a clash with police, adding that when the males in the tricycle were flagged down to stop, instead of doing so, they jumped out and ran off, requiring police officers to pursue them.
Edafe disclosed that “Operatives of Ebrumede police station, while on visibility patrol along Ogbolokposo area in Ebrumede, sighted a tricycle with four male occupants headed in their direction.
“The operatives, in their usual way, flagged down the tricycle, only for the occupants to jump down and take to their heels while exchanging gunshots with the Policemen.
“The police, while chasing them, engaged them in a shootout during which three of them were fatally wounded and One AK-47 rifle was recovered. The injured suspects were taken to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty. An investigation is still ongoing.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that one Zulka Muhammed ‘m’ aged 29 years, who resides in the Ibusa community, is a member of the gang. The suspects led the operatives to Umudafe in Ibusa, where Zulka was arrested. The suspects are in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.”
Edafe also said, “At about 1300 hours, acting on credible intelligence received on some suspects involved in criminal activities in Ibusa Oshimili north LGA, operatives of Ibusa division trailed and arrested one Musa Saliu ‘m’ aged 27 years, at Ibusa by-pass. When a search warrant was executed at his premises, one locally made, cut-to-size gun was recovered.
The PRO added that “At about 1800hrs acting on an actionable intelligence gathered on a notorious black spot in Otu Jeremi in Ughelli South LGA that majorly deals in the sales and distribution of illicit drugs and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
“On the strength of the information, detectives of the CP monitoring unit stormed the black spot where two suspects, namely Matthew Richard ‘m, aged 32 years, and Sampson Mashama ‘m, aged 37 years, both from Otu-Jeremi, were arrested, and several packs and wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp were recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”