Police Recover AK-47 Rifles, Two Magazines, Others from Cultists in Delta

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested three suspected cultists and recovered one AK-47 rifle with two magazines loaded with 41 rounds of 7.62 live ammunitions.

The suspected armed cultists were said to belong to Jurists Confraternity, a group terrorising residents of DSC quarters in Udu Local Government Area of the state.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP. Edafe Bright, said yesterday that the suspected cultists were apprehended at about 11.36 p.m., on Saturday following credible intelligence about their activities.

He disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ekpan Division, CSP. Aliyu Shaba, led surveillance team of the Division  to DSC Quarters  in a  coordinated operation when one Mr. Emmanuel Egbegbor Boms, 36 years and Mr. Obus Obukoko, 32 years, were arrested.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that they are suspected members of Jurists Confraternity; and on 22/10/2023 at about 14.15 hours the suspects led the operatives to the hideout of another member of the gang, one Mr. Moses Omoko at SEDCO Area  Enerhen, the suspected was arrested,” he said.

Edafe said that one AK-49 rifle with two magazines  loaded with 41 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one locally made double barrel gun with two live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

Similarly, the police rescued two abducted victims on Monday following complaints that there was a kidnap incident along Warri-Sapele Expressway.

Edafe disclosed that the DPO of Sapele Division swung into action on receipt of the information at about 10 a.m., mobilised a combined team from the division, area command, tactical teams and vigilante and led them to the Ibada-Elume bushes, including the swampy areas of the environment.

He said that following intensive search and at about 4.10 p.m. the hoodlums on noticing that the team was closing in on them, abandoned their victims and took to their heels while the two kidnapped victim were rescued and reunited with their families.

Edafe said that the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Wale Abass, has assured that the command would continue to enhance and improve its efforts to detect and fish out criminals in the state.

He added that the ember month’s operations are intensifying and that additional takedowns of unrepentant criminals should be expected.