The officers and personnel of the Delta State Police Command have received high praise for their bravery in ensuring the peace and security of the residents and businesses in the area.
Mr. Wale Abass, the Police Commissioner in Delta State, commended the dedication of the officers and personnel in confronting crime, particularly in addressing the high rate of kidnappings across the state.
Abass expressed satisfaction with the intensified efforts of the police within the command in combating crime and assured the residents of Delta State that they will be able to enjoy the upcoming Nigerian Independence Day celebrations and end-of-year festivities.
He stated, “The command has been actively pursuing the leader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate responsible for a bank robbery operation at a wetland microfinance bank in Udu LGA in 2021. The syndicate has remained a top priority on the command’s most wanted list.”
A Successful Sting Operation
In a statement signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Bright Edafe, it was disclosed that the police commissioner, acting on credible intelligence, directed operatives from the Ekpan Division to carry out a sting operation.
“Under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer of Ekpan, Mr. Aliyu Shaba, the police operatives conducted a sting operation at the hideout of ‘Momotimi’ and his gang members in River State. This operation was carried out in collaboration with the Rapid Response Team (RRT) of the River State Police Command. The result of the operation was the arrest of David Momotimi, aged 32, a native of Morogun Community, Warri, along with three members of his gang,” the statement indicated.
The statement further revealed, “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspects were planning a ferocious armed robbery mission in Warri before their arrest. One of the gang members is a Point of Sale (POS) operator who also provides the gang with information about potential kidnap victims.”
“One of the suspects agreed to lead the operatives to their hideout in Warri, but on their way, they were ambushed by suspected gang members. In an attempt to rescue the arrested suspects, the hoodlums engaged the police in a fierce gun battle.”
“However, the police operatives successfully subdued and repelled the attackers. In the process, two police officers sustained gunshot injuries, while the four suspects, trying to escape, ran into the crossfire and sustained serious gunshot wounds. They were taken to the General Hospital, Kwale, where they were pronounced dead,” the statement stated.
Upon a thorough search of the scene, the police discovered a corpse believed to be that of one of the attackers. Additionally, two defaced AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 47 spent shells of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.
The statement concluded by highlighting, “The Commissioner for Police also extended his gratitude to the members of the public whose collaboration led to the arrest of the suspects. He appealed to anyone with information that would aid in the successful apprehension of other suspects to come forward by using the dedicated phone lines that have been made public.”
