Operatives from the Special Assignment Team of the Delta State Police Command have eliminated two suspected kidnappers at their hideouts along Ewheru-Patani Road in the Ughelli Local Government Area.
This information was disclosed in a statement issued by the state Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, in Warri on Wednesday.
According to the statement, on October 28 at approximately 19:48, the CP-SAT operatives acted on reliable intelligence and descended on the criminal hideouts along Ewheru-Patani Road.
During the operation, the team was ambushed by the suspected criminals, leading to a fierce gun battle in which two suspects sustained bullet wounds. They were rushed to the General Hospital in Ughelli, where they were pronounced dead by medical personnel.
The police team also retrieved a Beretta pistol loaded with two live rounds and an AK-47 rifle with six rounds from the suspects’ hideouts.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in terrorizing areas along the Warri-Sapele road, as well as being linked to several killings in Oghara and Ughelli.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
In a separate operation, CP-SAT operatives, led by ASP Julius Robinson, arrested five suspected cult members between 03:00 and 05:30 on November 4, 2024, across various locations in the Oton community and Sapele town.
The suspects include Eremoje Dudun Oritsedere (alias ‘General’), 34, from Deghele community in Warri South West LGA, currently residing in Oton community; Emmanuel Irhurhu, 29, also from Oton; Godstime Jacob, 25, of Jesse community in Ethiope West LGA; Ighene Jefrry, 29, of Jesse town; and Iboyi Gain, 33, from Mosogar community in Ethiope West LGA.
Authorities stated that preliminary investigations suggest these individuals are members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity. Their arrest followed confessions from one Philip Okunumah (alias ‘G3’), 28, who had been apprehended earlier and admitted to involvement in multiple cult-related killings.
Additionally, an abandoned operational Toyota Corolla with the registration number KWL 635 BU, along with a Beretta pistol containing four live rounds, was recovered from the suspects.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has urged parents and guardians to discourage their children from engaging in cult-related activities and has encouraged the public to report any suspicious individuals or activities to the police.
