Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a 77-year-old gun runner Michael Enipozi and 65-year-old Solomon Udanya found in possession of 130 live ammunition.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, in a statement on Sunday, November 21, said the suspects were arrested Isoko South and North Local Government Areas of the state.
“On 20/11/2021 at about 0500hrs following a distressed call that three suspected armed robbers were in the premises of one man (name withheld) along Ozoro/ Ughelli road. The DPO Ozoro Division CSP Ogedengbe Areguamen led a combined team of Police/vigilante to the scene,” he stated.
“The suspected armed robbers on sighting the police teams took to their heels and the team gave them a hot chase during which one of the suspects named Emma Ighodalo ‘m’ of Irri village aged 28yrs was arrested with one live cartridge while two members of his gang escaped
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he threw his gun away somewhere in the bush as he was running and that he bought the said gun from One Michael Enipozi for the sum of #30,000
“The suspect led the Police to Irri village where the said Michael Enipozi ‘m’ of Irri in Isoko south LGA aged 77yrs was arrested. Three double barrel guns, two single barrel guns and other tools used in producing guns were recovered from him
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the 77yrs old suspect is a welder who produces guns for criminals and he admitted that he sold the gun to the suspect and that he has been in the business of producing guns for the past twenty years. Manhunt for the other two fleeing suspects is ongoing.” he added.
Edafe further disclosed that on November 19, 2021, at about 4:30p.m, operatives attached to the Command raided a criminal hideout at Emevor community in Isoko North LGA and arrested Udanya.
“On 19/11/2021 at about 1630hrs Operatives attached to the Command crack squad in total compliance with the directive of the Delta state Commissioner of Police on continuous raiding of black spot/criminal hideouts acted on intelligence gathered over a period of time and raided a criminal hideout at Emevor Community in Isoko North LGA and arrested one Solomon Udanya ‘m’ aged 65yrs
“The following exhibits were recovered from him; One hundred and thirty rounds live cartridges, one single barrel long gun, three packets of tramadol, six bottles of codeine and various contraband drugs. Investigation is ongoing.”
In another development, police operatives arrested three suspected armed robbery suspects along Bomadi-Ohoror road.
“On 17/11/2021 at about 1700hrs Eagle net patrol team while on a stop and search duty along Bomadi-Ohoror road intercepted a daylong unregistered motorcycle with three occupants namely Promise Jonah 27yrs “m” of Mbiama in Ahoada West LGA River state, Friday Frank 29yrs “m” of Esampou Community in Ekeremor LGA in Bayelsa but resides in Bomadi and Bekus Ayibe “m” of Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State respectively
Upon a painstaking search on the suspects, one locally made pistol and two cartridges were recovered from Promise Jonah.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect Promise Jonah contacted the other two suspects and told them he has a gun and that they should look for a motorcycle to steal.
The suspect, Friday Frank who resides in Bomadi boarded a bike and took the unsuspecting bike man to GRA water side in Bomadi where the other two suspects came out with the gun and threaten the bike man who submitted the keys and fled. Luck ran out of them when the Police team intercepted them.
Edafe said that the victim has identified all suspects as those who robbed him of his motorcycle. Suspects are currently in custody while investigation is ongoing.
“The CP has assured members of the public particularly residents of the state that the command will continue to do its best to see that the state is free from crimes and criminality while urging them to continue to partner with the Police by giving useful, credible and timely information for effective policing.” he added.
