The Delta State Police Command has said that 261 suspected kidnappers were arrested in the state in 2011 even as 46 others have been arrested in 2012 and were assisting the police in its investigation.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Mmamma Tsafe, stated this while speaking to journalists at the command headquarters in Asaba.
According to him, men of the command’s anti kidnapping Squad had within the period recorded tremendous success following useful information received from members of the public.
Tsafe also disclosed that over 20 armed robbery suspects were arrested in Ughelli and Abraka axis by men of the anti-robbery squad who acted on a tipoff.
He said two other suspects, however, sustained serious injuries during the exchange of gun battle between the police and the robbers, with some of them getting away.
He maintained that criminals within Asaba and its environs have in the last few months gone into hiding as the security agents had been positioned in strategic areas to ensure the security of lives and property.
Tsafe decried the increase in the activities of cultist in the state and warned residents to detest from criminal activities as the police and other security agencies in Delta State were committed to fighting crime and ensuring that people who break the law are punished to serve as deterrent to others.
He stated: “I have realised that there have been increasing rate of cultism in the state but we have been able to bring many of these suspects to book and also detected their operational hideout after useful information was given.”
He said peace and order had been restored in state and lives and property within the state were secured with residents and visitors going about their duty without fear of molestation.
Tsafe stated: “I want to say that the state has witnessed peace as a result of the efforts of the police as well as useful information supplied by members of the public which is quite commendable and has helped in combating most of the crimes.”
On the threat messages asking Northerners in the South to return to their states of origin, he assured Northerners living in Delta State that they were under no threat just as he debunked the news making the rounds that many of them had fled the state for fear of being attacked in reprisal.
According to him: “I want to state here that it is not true that the Northerners are
leaving the state for fear of being attacked in reprisal of the activities of Boko Haram.
There is no Boko Haram in Delta and the police are doing everything possible to maintain law and order.”
The commissioner commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the support he has given the command especially as regards provision of logistics for the police to work with.