Police Nab Notorious Suspected Gun Runner, Kill Kidnapper In Delta

Friday Emmanuel, a 43-yrs old suspected gun runner from Mosogar, Ethiope-West LGA, Delta State, has been apprehended by the police at Asaba-Onitsha Head-Bridge, Asaba.

The police operatives arrested the suspect after he was intercepted in a white Toyota Hiace Bus.

Upon searching the vehicle, 875 live cartridges concealed in a sack were recovered, and the suspect was arrested for further investigation.

State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe who confirmed this, said that the incident happened on 16/05/2024 at about 0945hrs.

According to him, “operatives of Safe Delta deployed to Head-Bridge, Asaba while they were on stop and search duty, intercepted a white Toyota Hiace Bus (REG. NO: AYB573XC), driven by one Friday Emmanuel, a 43yrs old male suspect from Morsogar, Ethiope-West LGA, Delta State.

“Upon subjecting the said vehicle to search, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five rounds of Live Cartridges concealed in a sack wrapped with pieces of clothes were recovered.

Similarly, a suspected notorious kidnapper, identified as Joel Joseph, was killed in a gun duel with police operatives in Ughelli North LGA.

Edafe said that police operatives stormed Inene Community in Ughelli North LGA, where they engaged Joel Joseph, the leader of a dreaded kidnapping syndicate, in a gun duel.

According to him, the said Joseph sustained serious gunshot injuries and later died in hospital, while one AK47 rifle loaded with ten rounds of live ammunition was recovered from him.

His word; “The special squad deployed by CP Abaniwonda Olufemi to Ughelli North LGA has been embarking on an intelligence-led policing strategy that has been paying off leading to the arrest of over nine suspected kidnappers and recovery of firearms.

“The team again recorded another major achievement on 16/5/2024 at about 0200hrs, when they stormed Inene Community in Ughellli North LGA, Delta State, on the trail of the leader of a dreaded kidnapping syndicate known as Joel Joseph, who is a native of Ekakpamre Community in Ughelli North LGA Delta State.

“The Suspect upon sighting the operatives opened fire on the operatives, and in the ensuing gun duel, the suspect sustained serious gunshot injuries and was taken to the General Hospital Ughelli where he died while receiving treatment. One AK47 Rifle loaded with ten (10) rounds of Live Ammunition was recovered from him. Efforts are being intensified to arrest other gang members as contained in the intel”, he added.