• Police uncover large arms cache in Okpe community, round up suspects
From Ben Dunno, Warri
Orerokpe, headquarters, Okpe Local Government, Delta State, an Urhobo kingdom, is perhaps the largest community, in terms of land space, clans and population in Delta Central.
It is a peaceful agrarian community known for its serene nature and hospitable dispositions of the indigenes, making the land a home, even to strangers. Orodje of Okpe, Major General Felix Mujakperuo, (rtd) Orhue I, is Chairman, Delta state Traditional Rulers Council. He is also former ECOMOG Commander in Liberia.
But in recent times, the peaceful atmosphere of Okpe faced huge security challenge. This followed the relocation of criminals whose safe haven in other communities had been dislodged due to series of invasions to their hideouts by the police.
However, the Orodje set up vigilance groups funded by the community, in addition to concretising a workable synergy with the police. Based on this and in line with the zero tolerance on criminals by the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, took the battle to the criminals in their hideouts.
He deployed additional operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) to Orerokpe as backup to the Police Division and ordered to Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Paul Oboware, to fish out criminals terrorising the area.
Relying on intelligence in a kidnap case in the area, the police team was able to track the suspects to a nearby community. Two suspects were arrested, leading to more arrests and discovery of armoury. Throwing more light on this breakthrough during the parade of the suspects in Asaba, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bright Edafe, disclosed that the recovery was made in one of the hideouts of the criminals at Ughelli in a crime committed in Orerokpe.
He explained: “Kidnapping being a crime of concern in the state has been dealt a huge blow through our swift policing interventions, particularly during this period of the “ember” months when crime rates are usually on the increase, not just in the state but across the country.
“It could be recalled that about two months ago the command arrested some suspected kidnappers, including one Ezekiel, who masterminded the kidnap of his brother (name withheld) and members of his household in Oha, Okpe LG during which one Regina, the brother’s wife was shot dead.
“The initial success notwithstanding, the CP gave the DPO, Oreorokpe, Oboware, marching orders, to ensure all other persons involved in the crime were brought to book. Consequently, on October 13, 2023, at about 1423hrs, after an exhaustive and painstaking investigation process, aided by technically generated intelligence, the DPO mobilised and personally led men of the Divisional Anti-Crime Patrol team and stormed Ofuoma in Ughelli North LG, where two suspects Aboyo and Gbolode were arrested for their involvement in the incident.
“Sequel upon their arrest, the team proceeded to conduct search at the premises and hideouts. One Blessing was arrested while other gang members who apparently sighted the approaching police team, took to their heels.
“When the house was searched, the following items were recovered. Four AK-47 rifles, one pump action and one locally made single barrel cut-to-size pistol. Others included 58 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition, 13 live cartridges, five packs of improvised explosive devices, six detonators and eight empty magazines.
“The suspects who confessed to their involvement in the crime and other kidnapping incidents in the state, are presently in custody. They are assisting police investigation while manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang is on going.
“I wish to emphatically reiterate that the war against kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices has been reinvigorated in the state. The Commissioner of Police is resolute on making the state a hostile ground for questionable characters.
“The command is calling on every Deltan to be involved in the efforts by volunteering useful information to aid the command’s operation. The Commissioner of Police has also extended his commendation to the officers behind this feat, urging them to sustain the tempo while admonishing other officers to emulate them.”
