3 Killed, 5 Arrested As Police Engages Hoodlums, Cultists In Gun Battle In Delta

The police in Delta state, has engaged group of six unknown gunmen armed in a gun duel, arresting two of the suspects who later succumbed to their injuries and died in the hospital.

It was learnt that the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad on a routine patrol, had encountered the suspects on April 1st, 2024, along the Asaba/Benin Express Way, in the state.

State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed this in a statement on Sunday, said that the suspects armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, opened fire on sighting the operatives in a bid to escape arrest.

He said that during the gun duel, two of the hoodlums were arrested with serious gunshot injuries.

Edafe said that the suspects who were immediately taken to the hospital, were confirmed dead, while others escaped.

While saying that one locally made cut-to-size double barrel gun loaded with two live cartridges and a battle axe was recovered, he hinted that efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Similarly, five persons were arrested by operatives in connection to armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism between April 3rd and 4th.

Edafe, said, “on Wednesday 3/4/2024, at about 0945hrs, in response to a distress call from a resident of Isah Community Ogwashi Uku that hoodlums bearing guns were shooting sporadically in the community forest, the Commander Safe Delta deployed police operatives to the area.

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“The team upon arrival was engaged in a fierce gun duel by the hoodlums, during the gun duel, one of the suspects sustained bullet injuries and a Locally Made Double Barrel Cut-to-size gun, and Three Live Cartridges were recovered from the scene, the wounded suspect was taken to FMC Asaba for medical attention but confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

Continuing, he said, “Four (4) other suspects were arrested at the scene those arrested include Abua Prosper, Nduka Ashiedu, Abua Monday, and Ogor Okocha all from Isah Ogwashi Uku community. The arrested suspects and the recovered exhibit are currently in our custody preliminary investigation ongoing”.

Equally, Edafe disclosed that on April 4th, 2024, the police received credible intelligence regarding an ongoing clash between different cultist groups in Ogwashi-Uku and its environs.

He said that acting on the information, the police raided a hotel in Issele-Azagba and arrested a 29-year-old male suspect, one Joseph Jonathan, a native of Ika North-East who confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

During the raid, he said, a locally made cut-to-size double barrel gun, three live cartridges, a black bag containing the pistol, and a charm made of cowries were recovered.

The police image maker, however, said that the Delta State Police Command, led by CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, remains committed to combating crimes in the state.

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He said that the arrested suspects, along with the recovered exhibits, are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing. Efforts are also underway to apprehend other members of the criminal gangs involved, he added.