Residents of communities in Delta State may have narrowly escaped further attacks after police operatives raided a suspected kidnappers’ and armed robbers’ hideout, recovering an AK-47 rifle, two pump-action guns and dozens of rounds of ammunition.
The operation also led to the arrest of three suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity in separate operations in Ughelli North and Ethiope East Local Government Areas of the state.
The Delta State Police Command said its Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) carried out the first operation at about 9pm on October 4, following intelligence about the activities of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers operating around Uduere Community in Ughelli North.
According to the police, the suspects opened fire when operatives stormed their bush hideout, forcing the officers to engage them in a gun battle.
The suspects eventually fled into the bush when they could not withstand the police firepower.
A search of the hideout uncovered one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 55 rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action gun and seven live cartridges.
The police also recovered a knife, a cutlass and a mobile phone from the location.
While the suspects escaped, the command said a manhunt was ongoing to track them down.
In another operation at about 12:45am on October 5, police operatives attached to the Quick Response Squad raided a location along Ekrakra Road in Kokori Community, Ethiope East LGA, following intelligence that suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity were holding a meeting there.
The suspects reportedly scattered and fled after sighting the police, but three men were arrested.
They were identified as Uzubu Ufuoma, 33; Solomon Ovie, 27; and Remember Emuere, 31.
The police said the suspects subsequently led investigators to an abandoned building at Okodjerhe Village, Kokori, where an automatic pump-action gun allegedly belonging to the group was recovered.
The three suspects remain in custody as police intensify efforts to arrest other members of the group who escaped.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, said the operations demonstrated the command’s determination to prevent criminal groups from using communities across the state as bases for their activities.
He warned kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists that the police would continue to identify and dismantle their hideouts.
Erale also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.
