Couple, Two Others Arrested as Gunmen Invade Ogidigben in Delta

…Cache of arms and ammunition recovered

Suspected gunmen, on Easter Sunday, invaded the oil-rich Ogidigben community, near Ugborodo, Escravos, in Warri South-west Local Government Area of Delta State, unleashing mayhem on residents.

Local sources revealed that the gunmen were hired by a man identified as a newly conferred titleholder in Warri. The source claimed he hired the invaders to prepare the ground for his homecoming to celebrate his chieftaincy title.

But luck ran out for two of the invaders, as they lost their way and were subsequently captured by security forces and community youths.

Among the suspects apprehended was a married couple, in whose possession several dangerous weapons were found. The weapons used by the invaders were reportedly kept by the couple, sources said.

In a series of trending videos, one of the suspects, during interrogation, claimed they were hired by a man named Okpey, who was recently conferred a chieftaincy title in Warri.

The suspect also claimed that about 13 of them were led into the community by a man called Sheriff, who was contacted by the said Okpey.

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“I and my friends came from Port Harcourt, we were given N75,000 for transport. We arrived around 12 midnight and someone received us at the river bank. We are about six of us. We meet some other boys from Ilaje in the bush and in the morning they gave us nylon they used to wrapped the guns”, one of the suspect claimed.

According to sources, the gunmen stormed Ogidigben Easter Sunday, opening fire on residents and creating chaos in the area. Security agents from nearby oil facilities swiftly responded to the distress call, but the gunmen managed to escape into the nearby bush.

The operation was ongoing as of Tuesday, with security personnel and community youths actively searching for the remaining suspects.

A source stated, “Okpey send his boys, led by one Mr. Sheriff, invaded and were shooting guns in Ogidigben community yesterday. When security agents arrived, they ran into the bush.

This morning, two of the boys lost their way in the bush, and security agents and community leaders apprehended them. They found arms and ammunition on them.

Upon interrogation, one of them confessed that Okpey was the one who sent them.”

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Delta State Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe, was yet to release official statement on the arrest.