The Police in Bayelsa State have intensified their war against armed robbers terrorising Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital and its environs.
Within a week of continual raids under the Operation Safer Bayelsa project of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Don Awunah, a crack team of the police arrested over 14 suspected armed robbers.
It was gathered that the team recovered over six guns, military fatigue, ammunition and four hand grenades.
In one of the operations, the team nabbed three persons involved in alleged cases of cultism, pipeline vandalism and armed robbery in the state.
While one of the suspect, identified as Temona Boleigha Alison, following a tip-off by the command’s strike force, two others were arrested by men of the anti-robbery squad based on intelligence sourced from the Bayelsa Volunteers.
It was gathered that four hand grenades, one live cartridge, a pair of military uniform, one machete, one SIM card, and twelve wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine were recovered from them.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Butswat Asinim, who confirmed the development also said that one Prince Loosen Elevate was arrested for attacking and robbing a victim, Emmanuel Eyemudoro at Osiri Road.
He said two gang members of the suspect, who operated in a tricycle with registration number KTA 371 QA were at large adding that Elevate was apprehended by community youths when he tried to escape from the scene.
Butswat added that a locally-made pistol was recovered from him while the police were trailing his cohorts.
The spokesman, who said all the arrests were effected between March 5 and 12 noted that a lone suspected armed robber identified as one Monovie Abilo with a locally made pistol attacked one Mrs Karina George, while she was making a phone call at Etegwe by Glory Land Hospital.
He said: “Luck ran out on the suspect as one Mr. Efiemi George who was driving a Lexus Jeep knocked down the armed robber. The armed robber was arrested and a locally made revolver pistol was recovered from him. Investigation is ongoing.
“Based on a tip-off policemen raided a restaurant and bar at Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa and arrested one Gbelele Beecroft 28yrs; Prince Felix Terrence, 17yrs; Olali David, 18yrs; Tony Francis, 28yrs; Timothy Charles, 17yrs and Monovie Francis 38yrs. Two locally revolver pistol and one locally-made gun, Seven rounds of 7mm ammunition were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing.
“One Mr. Godddwin Ukpai Emeka alerted the control room that he was attacked by about five armed robbers operating in a Dark grey Toyota Camry, after withdrawing the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000.000.00) from First Bank, Yenezuegene Branch, Yenagoa.
Consequently, the Command Tactical Teams were alerted and they swung into action. A reliable source informed the team of the location of the suspects at INEC Road, Yenagoa.
“The team trailed and arrested the following suspects namely; Douye Isoun, 30yrs; a native of Odi in Kolokuma Opokuma LGA, Kelvin Godwin, 30yrs; a native of Igbide Community in Isoko South LGA and one Kelvin Canus 25yrs a native of Koluama in Southern Ijaw LGA.
“One locally made single Barrel gun, three machetes, one military camouflage nickers, one police camouflage, Fez Cap, substances suspected to be hard drugs and a Toyota Corolla Saloon Car with REG NO BY 800 CD were recovered from them.
“Similarly, at about 1750hrs, Operatives from Operation Doo Akpor chased some suspected hoodlums in a Toyota Camry Car, with registration number: TDU-826 PX the suspects abandoned the car at Tenacious Road Edepie.
“The following items were recovered from the vehicle; two locally made cut-to-size single Barrel gun, three live cartridges and one expended cartridge”.
