_: The Commissioner of Police Delta State Police Command, CP Wale Abass has called on the criminals in the state to stop their nefarious activities and imbibe in legitimate means of livelihood or have themselves to blame.
CP Abass vowed that as long as the criminals in the state remained adamant about repentance, his operatives would continue to hunt, arrest and prosecute them.
The Delta State Police boss read the riot act on Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital during a press briefing where he paraded a number of suspected criminals and showcased arms and ammunition recovered from them between the month of June to date.
While assuring members of the public of the security of their lives and property, the CP appealed to them for useful information that would enable operatives to nip crime in the bud.
“While assuring Delta residents of adequate security, I wish to use this medium to solicit their continuous understanding and support, especially in the area of information.
“Residents are also urged to monitor their environment and report any suspicious persons or movement to the Police through any of the following numbers CONTROL ROOM NUMBERS:1. 8036684974, 2. 08125958005; 3. 09053872287 4. 09155570007 (PPRO’S OFFICE).”
He gave the summary of arms, ammunition and vehicles recovered from June to date as 5 AK-47 rifles, 5 Pump Action guns; 24 locally made guns recovered, 489 ammunition, 469 cartridges, and 8 stolen vehicles.
In another development, the CP said that sequel to a complaint received on July 3, 2023, at about 1700 hours from a car dealer (name withheld) in Abuja, whose vehicle was stolen from his car stand by the suspect who disguised as intending buyer and absconded with the said vehicle during a test drive on June 30, 2023, in Abuja.
Serious manhunt for the suspect is ongoing.”
CP Abass further disclosed that on June 30, 2023, the DPO Ekpan Police station received a complaint that two young ladies (name withheld) have not been seen since they went to a church named fire gospel mission located at No. 1 Tare Alegbo Street, Effurun, Ovwie LGA for a church programme.
“The DPO swung into action and arrested the suspect who claimed to be a pastor name Marvelous Ebangwe ‘m’ age 42. Investigation revealed that the suspect specializes in trafficking young girls to African countries. The suspect stated that the victims are presently in Senegal. The investigation is ongoing,” he said.
He said that on July 4, 2023, at about 0800 hours, operatives attached to Safer Highway, while on stop and search duty along Summit Road, Asaba, received a distress call from a female victim (name withheld) that some suspected fraudster collected her phone and ATM card along the expressway by Kia motors and dropped her off along DLA road but fortunately, their vehicle entered a ditch while trying to escape.
Also, he said that on June 26 at about 10.20 p.m., Police operatives attached to Ufoma division while on night patrol at Ekrejebor in Ughelli North LGA, acting on a tip-off, intercepted two young men.
He said that when they were searched, one English pistol was recovered.