By MONDAY OCHUKO, Asaba

Delta State police command yesterday August 14th 2023, engaged suspected armed robbers in a shootout leading to death of three of the suspects.

Spokesman of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, in a statement disclosed that, “operatives of Ebrumede police station while on visibility patrol along Ogbolokposo area in Ebrumede, sighted a tricycle with four male occupants heading towards them. The operatives in their usual way flagged down the tricycle only for the occupants to jump down and took to their heels while exchanging gunshots with the policemen.”

According to Edafe, “The police while chasing them, engaged them in a shootout during which three of them were fatally wounded. One AK-47 rifle was recovered.

The injured suspects were taken to a hospital where they were confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.”

He added that investigation is ongoing.

In a related development, Edafe disclosed that, on Sunday, August 13, based on credible intelligence received on some suspects involved in criminal activities in Ibusa, Oshimili North LGA, operatives of Ibusa Police Division trailed and arrested one Musa Saliu, aged 27, at Ibusa by-pass. When a search warrant was executed at his premises, one locally made cut-to-size gun was recovered. Preliminary investigation revealed that one Zulka Muhammed, aged 29, who resides in Ibusa community is a member of a criminal gang.

According to him, the suspects led the operatives to Umudafe in Ibusa where the said Zulka was arrested. The suspects are in police custody and investigation is ongoing.

In another development the police spokesman said that on Saturday, August 12, acting on a credible intelligence gathered on a notorious black spot in Otu Jeremi in Ughelli South LGA that majorly deals on sales and distribution of illicit drugs, and weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp.

He added that, on the strength of the information, detectives of the CP monitoring unit stormed the black spot where two suspects namely Matthew Richard aged 32, and Sampson Mashama aged 37 both from Otu-Jeremi were arrested, and several packs and wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp were recovered. Investigation is ongoing. (The SUPREME)