The Delta State Police Command has arrested 81 armed robbery and kidnap suspects between September and October.
The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, disclosed this to newsmen in Asaba on Thursday.
The commissioner, who paraded some of the suspects at the briefing, said the command also recovered arms and ammunitions within the period.
Aduba said the police was poised to rid the state of criminals terrorising law abiding citizens.
He said the arrests and recovery of arms and ammunitions was a testimony of the command’s resolve to mop up all illegally acquired weapons in the state.
“The members of the public are, therefore, enjoined to surrender unlawful and illegal arms in their possession to the command,” he said.
The commissioner said that policing was a duty with the highest integrity and information was vital to the success so far recorded.
The commissioner said the arrests were made based on information volunteered by the public.
He said that information also led to the arrest of a notorious armed gang operating between Anambra and Delta, adding that the gang was suspected to be responsible for kidnapping politicians in the state.
?“On Oct. 2 we arrested Mr Anayo Anyanwu, a notorious dare devil kidnapper on the wanted list at Okwe near Asaba and he confessed and led the police to Agulu in Anambra where four AK 47 rifles, 34 magazines and ammunitions were recovered.
“The suspect later led the team to Obomkpa in Delta, where one Oloma Onyemelem, a cripple and his father Onwuka Onyemelem, both native doctors who do voodoo charms for the gang were arrested.
“Also arrested at Obomkpa is Prince Bassey Okon, a member of the gang and items recovered include single barrel gun, English double gun, a pistol, 25 live cartridges, vehicle and others,’’ Aduba said.
He said that other suspects were arrested in Warri, Ughelli, Sapele Effurun and other parts of the state and warned criminals to seek other occupation or quit the state.
Aduba said that all the items recovered within the period were six English rifles; three English pistols; 17 locally made guns, 1018 ammunitions and 57 cartridges.
He also called on investors to come to Nigeria and to Delta in particular to invest, adding that the environment was safe.
He said that the command was prepared to work with vigilance groups as modalities were being worked out for the government to commence the payment of stipends to them.
“The command is connecting with the communities and consequently appreciates the synergy and cooperation of the vigilance groups who have variously assisted it meaningfully in the prevention of crime,” Aduba said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner also received an award on Thursday as the Most Outstanding Crime Buster in West Africa.
The award was given by Security Watch Africa in Asaba, a non-governmental organisation.
Aduba said the award would spur him to do more work.
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