From Joseph Obukata, Warri
Amidst the rising insecurity and growing cases of phone theft, the police in Delta state, yesterday, said that it recovered yet again one beretta pistol from a suspect in Ekuku-Agbor community and also arrested the syndicate behind growing cases of phone theft in Asaba, the state capital.
State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe who disclosed this, said that on Wednesday March 27, the Anti-Crime patrol team in Agbor intercepted one John Chikwuji who was found in possession of a Beretta pistol.
According to the police, “on 27/03/2024 at about 1800hrs Anti-Crime patrol team Agbor division while on stop and search intercepted one John Chikwuji ‘m’ aged 25yrs a native of Ekuku-Agbor going from Agbor to Ekuku-Agbor community, when the suspect was subjected to a search, one Beretta pistol was recovered”.
Similarly, two phone theft syndicate operating in tricycles were apprehended in Asaba on Monday March 25.
The suspects were banned after a victim who had boarded a commercial tricycle discovered that his phone had been stolen.
With the help of bystanders, the suspects identified as Collins Akpinoba and David Paulson, were chased down and handed over to the police.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, were specialized in robbing unsuspecting passengers, Edafe said.
He said, “On 25/03/2024 at about 1850hrs one Ezeugwu Akanso ‘m’ reported at ‘A’ division Asaba that on the same date at about 1700hrs he boarded a commercial tricycle with Reg no. GWK 758 VC with Delta State code no. 12335B at Konwea Plaza Nnebisi Road Asaba to Okpanam Road Asaba and the commercial tricycle rider before he alighted.
“He further stated that upon noticing that his phone had been stolen, he raised an alarm which necessitated sympathizers yo join him and chase the suspects and were apprehended, the suspects one Collins Akpinoba ‘m’ age 27yrs conspired with one David Paulson ‘m’ age 38yrs were immediately handed over to the Police. Preliminary investigation revealed that both suspects specialize in robbing unsuspecting passengers and some of their victims have identified them. Investigation is ongoing”.
DSP Edafe said that CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, the Commissioner of Police, had emphasized that fighting criminals is the primary goal of the Delta State Command.
He warned all criminals to abstain from illegal activities, maintaining that they will face the full wrath of the law if they fail to desist from crime.