Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have killed two suspected kidnappers during an intense operation at a known hideout along Ewheru-Patani Road in Ughelli Local Government Area.
This information was disclosed in a statement released by the state’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Wednesday in Warri.
The statement noted that the CP-SAT operatives, acting on credible intelligence, conducted the operation on October 28 around 7:48 pm. Their target was a series of criminal hideouts along the Ewheru-Patani Road, a location notorious for various illicit activities.
However, the operation took a dangerous turn when the security team encountered an ambush set up by the suspected criminals.
A fierce gunfight ensued, resulting in two of the suspected kidnappers sustaining severe gunshot wounds. The injured suspects were quickly transported to Ughelli’s General Hospital, but were later pronounced dead by attending doctors.
Edafe further revealed that, during a search of the hideout, police operatives recovered significant weaponry, including a loaded Beretta pistol with two rounds and an AK-47 rifle loaded with six rounds.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased suspects were allegedly part of a network responsible for numerous criminal activities, including terrorizing travelers along the Warri-Sapele road, causing unrest in the Mosogar area, and being linked to recent killings in Oghara and Ughelli.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation based on solid intelligence, CP-SAT operatives led by ASP Julius Robinson conducted early morning raids between 3:00 am and 5:30 am on November 4.
The raids targeted locations within the Oton community and Sapele town, resulting in the arrest of five suspected cult members believed to belong to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
The apprehended individuals include Eremoje Dudun Oritsedere, known as ‘General,’ aged 34, originally from Deghele in Warri South West LGA but residing in Sapele’s Oton community.
He was allegedly in possession of the gang’s AK-47 rifle. Other suspects included Emmanuel Irhurhu, 29, of Oton; Godstime Jacob, 25, of Jesse in Ethiope West LGA; Ighene Jeffrey, 29, of Jesse town; and Iboyi Gain, 33, of Mosogar community.
The police noted, “Preliminary investigations revealed that they are suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.”
These arrests were reportedly facilitated by information provided by Philip Okunumah, alias ‘G3,’ aged 28, from Jesse.
Okunumah, detained earlier, confessed to his involvement in cult-related killings, implicating the other suspects.
The police further recovered an abandoned operational vehicle, a Toyota Corolla with registration number KWL 635 BU, along with a Beretta pistol containing four live rounds.
In response to these incidents, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has urged families to be vigilant.
He called on parents and guardians “to discourage their children and wards from engaging in any cult-related activities,” advising the public to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement to prevent further crime and unrest in the area.
