Most wanted robbery leader, three other members of his gang yesterday, met their Waterloo as the police shot dead three members of the gang.
According to Delta Police Publlic Relations Officer(PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe,”the Command has been on the trail of one Momotimi, the leader of a dreaded kidnapping syndicate responsible for the bank robbery operation at a Wetland Microfinance Bank in Udu LGA, in the year 2021. Momotimi and his gang have been on the command’s most wanted list, and are suspected to be responsible for several incidences of kidnapping, attacks, and killings of policemen, and other security agents within the state, and carting away their rifles.
“On September 23, at about 10.30 am, while acting on credible intelligence, the Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Wale Abass detailed DPO Ekpan, to follow up on the intelligence .Consequently, DPO Ekpan, CSP Aliyu Shaba, led a team of Police operatives in a sting operation to the hideout of Momotimi, and his gang members in River State, in a combined effort with operatives of River State Police Command’s Rapid Response Team {RRT}, arrested the said David Momotimi, 32, a native of Morogun Community,Warri,alongside three of his gang members.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were planning a ferocious mission of armed robbery in Warri before their arrest.Among his gang members is a POS operator, who also provides the gang with information about potential kidnap victims.
” Items recovered from the suspects, are: one ash-colored Toyota Camry car, with registration number: LND 508 GM, and three MONIEPOINT POS machines. The CP directed the suspects to be transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrimes Squad (SAKCCS) for further investigation.
“On September, 27,2023, at about 6:42 Pm , the suspect led operatives of SAKCCS to their hideout in Warri, but on their way, the operatives were ambushed by hoodlums suspected to be members of the gang in a bid to rescue the arrested suspects, engaged them in a fierce gun duel which the police responded, in the ensuing gun duel, the operatives successfully subdued and repelled the attackers, two police officers sustained gunshot injuries. However, four suspects in a bid to escape ran into the crossfire and sustained serious gunshot injuries. They were taken to the General Hospital in Kwale,where they were certified dead by the doctor on duty. When the area was combed, a corpse suspected to be one of the attackers was recovered. Two defaced AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 47 empty shells of 7.62mm ammunition were also recovered.
“The CP,while applauding the gallantry exhibited by the policemen, also commended the collaboration of members of the public with the command thus far and appealed for more cooperation. Hence, anyone with information that will help trace the fleeing suspects, should please contact the Police Public Relations Office. Alternatively, information can be shared via the Command’s dedicated lines:
08036684974; 08125958005; 09053872287 (CONTROL ROOM)09155570007; 09155570008 (PPRO OFFICE)”.
