Troops burst criminal gang in Delta, recovers arms, ammunition
Troops of the Nigerian Army 63 Brigade/Sector 1, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe have busted a criminal gang in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The troops recovered assorted arms and ammunition from the hoodlums.
This was contained in a statement signed and released by Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.
The statement disclosed that the operation led to the arrest of two suspected criminals, alleged to be members of a notorious cult group in the area.
“Their arrest was effected following credible intelligence on the nefarious activities of the criminal gang in a recent operation conducted around Ibusa,” the statement explained.
It noted that during the operation, several weapons were recovered, including two pump-action rifles recovered from the suspects, as well as three additional pump-action rifles recovered from purported local vigilantes.
The Army spokesman affirmed that the suspects and recovered weapons had been handed over to the relevant agency for further investigation.
He further stated that in follow-up operations, the area was combed, leading to the recovery of eight additional pump-action rifles at Umuisiagba.
Thirteen suspects, including Nwaokonta Elvis, Obi Victor Woke, Uba Elijah, Nonso Ibiora, Dumbili Ezefili, Ndefu Ifeanyi, Ozemene Richard, Broderick Patrick, Nwaokonta Afamefile, Kelvin Ejiani, Victor Ogochukwu, Ogadi Kelvin Ikechukwu and Ndibuisi Obiogonna (native doctor), were arrested in the follow-up operations, Bawa said.
Meanwhile, the Commander, 63 Brigade, Brigadier General Morounfolu Shonibare, while commending the troops for their vigilance, charged them to clamp down on all criminal networks in the area.
He reassured the people of Delta State and environs that the Brigade would continue to prioritise the safety of lives and property.
