The Nigeria Police Force has placed its’ personnel on red alert in Delta State over rising cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in the State.
The State Commissioner of Police Mr. Ari Muhammed Ali, has therefore, directed all officers and men of the command to be on red alert to ensure that the state is well policed and to ensure that criminally minded persons are chased out of the state.
The call for the alert is following the recent kidnapping cases recorded during the same period in the state.
in a Statement by the State Police Spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, he stated that,” on November 14, at about 7. 36 pm, acting on information received that hoodlums numbering about five in Army camouflage uniform, armed with AK 47 rifles, came out from the bush at Idu roundabout, along Ozoro/ Ughelli Expressway; opened fire on one a Toyota Sienna with registration number: SMK 185 FU, conveying passengers from Ozoro to Ughelli. The hoodlums abducted 11 passengers.
” The DPO Oleh Division, SP Paul Oboware, mobilized and led a combined team of Police patrol teams, vigilante, and hunters to the scene. They cordoned off the area and combed the surrounding bushes relentlessly which made the area uncomfortable for the hoodlums.
” Consequently, the suspected Kidnappers abandoned the victims and fled. The Eleven kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt and the vehicle recovered while a manhunt has been stepped up for the fleeing suspects”.
In another development, Edafe said a complainant, who went to wash his vehicle at a car wash around Conoil filling station Effurun, said that after washing his car, he and his brother while waiting for someone saw a group of four armed men who pounced on them, forced them into the vehicle and sped off.
“The man further stated that the hoodlums later put them in the boot of the vehicle. On getting to a hold-up, they managed to open the boot and escaped. Information got to the DPO Ebrumede Division, SP Bolarinwa Alabi, who immediately detailed and led operatives and went after them. In a combined effort with the men of Ekpan Police station, they trailed the hoodlums to Jakpa Road. The hoodlums on noticing that the Police were trailing them, abandoned the vehicle in the busy area of Jakpa and fled into the crowd.” In order not to hurt innocent citizens, the team could not engage them, but the Lexus car, ES 350 gold colour with number plate: YAB 262 KC was recovered. The effort is on top gear with a view to arresting the fleeing suspects”.⁰
Edafe said that following the development, the CP has deployed Patrol teams to the highways with a view to seeing that people travel without fear, and to ensure safety on the highways.
“The Cp also appreciates the efforts of officers and men of the Command in their effort in the fight against crimes and criminality in the state. He also thanked the state government and members of the public for their support in tackling the security challenges in the state”.
