By Oluwayemi Davidson
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested an 80-year-old suspected armorer in the Kokori community, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the State.
Security sources said that the man, Omoraka James, was allegedly dealing in cartridges, and selling such to hoodlums who use them in carrying out various nefarious activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe disclosed in a press statement made available to journalists in Warri on Thursday that when the suspect’s premises were raided by the Command Raider’s Unit on the strength of information received, 114 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from him.
The PPRO stated that investigations continue in the matter while the suspect remains in custody.
In another development, detectives from the Command have rounded up 51 suspected cultists during their initiation ceremony in Ogwashi-Uku.
It was gathered that assorted arms and ammunitions including two cut-to-size locally made guns and one expended cartridge, among others, were recovered from the suspected cultists who adorned Eiye Confraternity regalia.
According to the PPRO, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, the Command received a tip-off, that some suspected Eiye Confraternity Cult group would be marking their anniversary in Ogwashi-Uku.
He hinted that based on the intelligence report, the Command swiftly took action and located where and when the ceremony would be held.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police for the State Command, CP Ari Muhammed Ali detailed the Command’s Buffalo Patrol team, operatives from Area Command Ogwashi-Uku and Ogwashi-Uku Division to storm the venue at Big Apple Hotel in Ogwashi-Uku.
But the suspects on sighting the police took to their heels, while some of them even shot at the Police.
Man, 32, to die by hanging for armed robbery
The police operatives gave the hoodlums a hot chase during which 51 suspected cultists were arrested, together with two cut-to-size locally made guns, one expended cartridge as well as Eiye Confraternity regalia.
The police spokesman affirmed that the suspects have been transferred to the Command Anti-Cult unit (SACU) for investigation.
He stated that those found wanting upon completion of the investigation would be charged to court.
Meanwhile, the Eagle net special squad while on stop and search duty along Sapele-Benin Expressway, intercepted a Toyota Hiace Bus with reg no OLG 13 EFR and subjected the passengers to a search during which six locally made double barrel guns concealed in an umbrella belonging to one Mrs. Victoria Itila were recovered.
The suspect was arrested and an investigation is ongoing, the police said.
In the meantime, the Commissioner of Police while urging parents and guardians to monitor and teach their wards on the need to stay away from cultism and vices has warned in strong terms that the Command under his watch will not tolerate any form of cult-related activities in the State.
The CP maintained that the Command will go all out in identifying them, and their hideouts, arrest them and ensure that they are brought to book.
The CP also admonished members of the public to continue to partner with the police by providing useful and timely information that will help in the fight against crime and criminality.
