Delta police arrest armed robbers, recover weapons

The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered a Beretta pistol, a locally made cut-to-size gun, and other weapons in Sapele.

This was made known in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, and shared on X.com on Friday.

The suspects, Blessing Atima, Destiny Okpako, and Wisdom Akpohirowho have been linked to six armed robbery operations in Sapele.

The statement read, ” On 05/06/2024 at about 1745hrs while acting on credible intelligence, the special squad deployed to Ughelli by the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, to checkmate the activities of kidnappers, and armed robbers in Ughelli, Warri, Sapele, and environs successfully arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered their weapons which they use to terrorize innocent residents in Sapele.

“The team led by ASP Julius Robinson stormed Sapele Town on the said date and effected the arrest of one Blessing Atima aged 23yrs ‘m’ of Jesse Community in Ethiope West LGA of Delta State (The Gang Leader), Destiny Okpako age 19yrs a 23year ‘M’ of Oviri-Okpe Community in Okpe LGA of Delta State and Wisdom Akpohirowho aged 20yrs ‘m’ of Jesse Community in Ethiope West LGA of Delta State, all residents of Sapele town and the following exhibit were recovered from them; one Beretta pistol, One locally cut-to-size gun, Three cutlasses, Phones and ATM cards belonging to victims.

“Some of their victims have identified the suspects and their valuables recovered from them.

“Interrogation of the suspects revealed that they have so far taken part in six of the armed robbery operations in Sapele. The suspects are in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.

In a separate operation, police arrested Usman Bello, a suspected robber posing as a mentally unstable person, and recovered a locally made fabricated Beretta pistol.

The statement added, ” On 3/05/2024 at about 0830hrs, RRS Operatives, while acting on credible information that some suspected robbers were sighted in an uncompleted building along Issele-Asagba Express Way.

“The operatives stormed the uncompleted building and arrested one Usman Bello ‘M’ age 40yrs, and one Locally Made Fabricated Beretta Pistol recovered from him.

“The suspect who pretends to be a mentally unstable person is in custody and investigation is ongoing.”

Additionally, two suspects, Ameachi Micheal and Ogochukwu Ogbode, were arrested for shop and house breaking in Asaba.

They allegedly targeted victims in Asaba and sold their loot in Port Harcourt.

The statement added, “On 04/06/2024, at about 1300 hrs, the Area commander Asaba acting on intelligence report on the activities of some suspects who come from across the Niger to Asaba at night, break into and loot the shops of their targeted victims.

“The Area commander immediately deployed undercover operatives who embarked on a discreet operation which eventually paid off when the duo of one Ameachi Micheal ‘m’ age 42 yrs of Wuje Street Port Harcourt and Ogochukwu Ogbode ‘m’ age 38yrs of Aronomen Enugu were arrested along DLA road, Asaba.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that after breaking and looting the shops of their victims, they carried their loot to Port-Harcourt to sell.”

The police are investigating the suspects’ involvement in these crimes and working to apprehend receivers of stolen items in Port Harcourt.