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Tag: Delta police

  • Delta police rescue 23 teenage girls, smash prostitution syndicate

    Delta police rescue 23 teenage girls, smash prostitution syndicate

    Delta Police Command has rescued twenty-three teenagers in a hotel in Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA lured into prostitution by a human trafficking and prostitution syndicate.

    The state police public relations officer, SP Bright Edafe, in a statement, on Friday, July 19, said the rescue effort followed a tip-off on the activities of a suspect who is at large.

    The police identified the prime suspect simply as Chinyere.

    Edafe said Chinyere specialises in trafficking women from the South East to Delta state for prostitution, adding that the suspect lures the women by deceiving them with job offers of sales girls.

    He said the police operatives located one of the victims who revealed the illegal activities of the prime suspect now at large.

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    According to the statement, the victim who hails from Abia state said Chinyere deceived her parents that she would be employed as sales girls in a bar with a salary of N30,000 monthly.

    Edafe, quoting the victim, said when she in the company of two other girls got to Ughelli, she saw several nude girls and was informed of the nature of the job which she rejected and was thrown out of the hotel.

    He said police operatives stormed Big Dafe Hotel by Ughelli/ Patani road and arrested one Chioma Edafe ‘f’ 36yrs of Umuogbezea Community in Imo State who runs the hotel and thirty-five others among which twenty-three are all teenagers.

    He said a manhunt for the main suspect Chinyere is ongoing.

    Part of the statement reads, “On 15/7/2024, acting on credible information received by the Command on the activities of one Chinyere (surname unknown) who specializes in trafficking women from the East and brings them to Ughelli Delta State for prostitution. Intelligence further revealed that she lures them by telling them that they are coming to Delta State to work as a sales girl in a restaurant.

    “The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi who has zero tolerance for human/child trafficking detailed the DPO Ekpan CSP Aliyu Shaba to immediately work on the gathered intelligence and ensure that the hotel is located and the suspect arrested. Consequently, on 15/07/2024 at about 1900hrs, one of the victims (name withheld) was located and she revealed the illegal activities of the said suspect Chinyere ‘f’ surname unknown currently at large.”

    “She further stated that the suspect deceived her parents to follow her down to Delta State from Abia State to be a sales girl in a bar with a salary of #30,000 monthly, however on 12/07/2024, she and two other young girls followed the suspect down to a town she later understood to be Ughelli but on getting to their final destination, they saw other teenagers. They were naked and were informed that it was prostitution they were brought for which they declined and as a result, they were immediately thrown out of the hotel.”

  • Delta Police arrest 400 level student for faking his kidnap

    Delta Police arrest 400 level student for faking his kidnap

    The Delta State Police has arrested a 400-level student of the Department of Banking and Finance, Delta State University, Abraka, Ethiopia West Local Government Area for faking his own kidnap.

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    The student, identified as Nelson Eserada,  feigned his kidnap and ordered his father to pay a ransom of N5.2million into the Bitcoin account of his accomplice, Jerry Lawrence.

    The police said Lawrence has also been arrested.

  • Police to honour six slain officers in Delta

    Police to honour six slain officers in Delta

    The Police Force has expressed shock over six officers ambushed and killed by armed assailants while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest, Delta State.

    Six others officers are missing-in-action.

    A statement on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “Our hearts extend to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen officers during this period of profound sorrow. We stand in solidarity with them, offering our deepest condolences and earnestly praying for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.

    “The deceased officers include Inspector Abe Olubunmi (IRT) enlisted on 1st August, 2003; Inspector Friday Irorere (51 PMF) enlisted on 1st January, 2003; Sergeant Kuden Elisha (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; Sergeant Akpan Aniette (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; Sergeant Ayere Paul (IRT) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; and Sergeant Ejemito Friday (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011. 

    “While the officers currently missing-in-action include Inspector Onoja Daniel enlisted 1st February, 2003; Inspector Onogho Felix enlisted on 1st January, 2004; Inspector Emmanuel Okoroafor enlisted 1st April, 2004; Inspector Joel Hamidu enlisted 1st June 2006, Sergeant Moses Eduvie enlisted 17th October, 2011, all of 51 PMF; and Sergeant Cyril Okorie (SWAT) enlisted 17th October, 2011.

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    “Furthermore, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to honouring the memory of our fallen heroes by recognizing their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice. 

    “In accordance with this commitment, the Force will posthumously honour the slain officers for their noble service and ultimate sacrifice at the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations Ceremony scheduled for April 5th, 2024 in Abuja.

    “In response to this grievous loss, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D., NPM, has taken decisive actions as expected. 

    “The bodies of six (6) of the slain officers have been recovered after a fierce search conducted by a combined team of police officers and other security outfits. 

    “The Force is focussed on the search for the other six (6) officers; while all their families have been duly contacted.

    “Additionally, the Inspector General of Police has mandated the expedited processing and payment of all entitlements due to the families of the fallen officers, aiming to alleviate any financial burdens they may encounter in this challenging time”.

    Adejobi said immediate measures have been initiated to ensure that justice is served swiftly and the perpetrators brought to justice.

  • Delta police orders arrest of officers for shooting three vigilance group’s members

    Delta police orders arrest of officers for shooting three vigilance group’s members

    The Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Abaniwonda Olufemi, has ordered the arrest of some policemen for shooting three members of the Idjerhe community vigilance group in the Ethiope West Local Government Area.

     The Nation gathered that the policemen allegedly stormed Idjerhe town on the 30th of January, 2024, and shot the vigilante commander, Mr. Freeborn Ofeshohwo alias Cornerstone and two other members identified as Mr. Friday Johnson and Enor Young.

     It was learnt the victims are receiving medical attention following the attack.

     However, the people of the area led by the Otota of Idjerhe Kingdom, Chief Onosia James Obriki, condemned the incident, describing it as an unprovoked attack on the people of the Kingdom.

     The police boss, in a statement issued by the spokesperson of Delta Police Command, Bright Edafe, assured the people that the incident would be thoroughly investigated.

    Abaniwonda assured the injured victims that the command would ensure that justice was done in the incident.

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     The statement read in part: “The Command is aware of a publication making rounds in some sections of the media of an alleged shooting by policemen at Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West LGA. The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police State Criminal Investigation Department to commence a full-scale investigation into the incident, and the officers involved have been identified and detained, while an internal disciplinary action has been initiated.

     “The CP wishes to reiterate that it’s not in the character of the Command to trample on the rights of citizens, assault, or use their rifles without recourse to Force Order 237.

     “He assures members of the public that the officers concerned will be decisively dealt with by the extant laws as stipulated in the Police Act and regulations to serve as a deterrent to others, noting that under his watch, such conduct by officers of the command will not be tolerated”, the statement read.

     CP Olufemi warned officers and men of the command that he would not condone any form of unprofessionalism in the discharge of their duties as anyone found flouting the Force’s code of conduct would be dealt with.

     “He has therefore tasked officers and men to uphold the tenets of professional policing in the discharge of their duties concerning the rights of all citizens in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) while hoping that the actions taken on the erring officers will serve as a deterrent to others.

     “He appealed to members of the public, particularly indigenes of Idjerhe Kingdom, and the families of the injured vigilantes who are currently receiving treatment to remain calm and assure them of justice”.

  • Delta police command gets new commissioner

    Delta police command gets new commissioner

    A new Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Surajudeen Olufemi, has assumed duty as the 22nd Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command.

    The new police boss succeeds AIG Wale Abass who was transferred to Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    A statement by Delta Police Command spokesperson, Bright Edafe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the new police boss was born on the 22nd of February 1966.

    According to the statement, Abaniwanda who hails from Epe LGA of Lagos state holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History in 1987, and a Master of Arts in Economics History, both from University of Lagos in 1990.

    He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a member of Cadet ASP Course 17 on the 18th of March 1992. 

    He attended the elite Police Academy Kaduna, and upon completion of training in the academy, was posted to Kogi State Police Command as a young Assistant Superintendent of Police in November 1995.

    He has served in various capacities in the Police Force.

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    As a trained officer of international standards, he was deployed for Peace Keeping Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2000, and was also in 2008 seconded as the Training Adviser at the United Nations’ Integrated Office in Sierra Leone.(UNIOSIL)

    In 2015 he was posted to the Gwagwalada Area Command as the Area Commander, and in 2017 he was transferred to Oyo State Command as the Area Commander Oyo Area Command.

    Upon his promotion to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police, he was tasked with administrative duty at the Department of Operations Force Headquarters Abuja.

    He served at Kogi state Command as the Deputy Commissioner of Police State Criminal Investigation Department.

    He was the immediate past Deputy Force Secretary at Force headquarters Abuja. He was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police January 2024 and deployed to Delta State as the 22nd Commissioner of Police of Delta State Command.

    Abaniwonda promised to build on existing security mechanisms in place towards enthroning the reign of peace and safety in Delta State.

    He advised the public to always cooperate with the Police and other security agencies at all times, while tasking the youths not to allow themselves to be used as for any act of criminality.

    Abaniwonda assured residents that the Command under his leadership will ensure that the State become uncomfortable for criminals.

  • UPDATED: Delta police confirm death of apprentice after alleged beating by ‘master’

    UPDATED: Delta police confirm death of apprentice after alleged beating by ‘master’

    The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the death of a carpentry apprentice, identified as Onome after he allegedly received severe beatings from his ‘master’ for resuming late at work in Sapele, Delta state.

    The Police Public Relations Office (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, in a text message to The Nation on Friday evening, confirmed the development, stating that the “suspects are still at large.”

    It was gathered that the incident occurred on Friday, November 10, at the workshop located along New Ogorode Road.

    The suspect, identified simply as Orunor, was said to have accused the deceased of stealing his Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card.

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    Unconfirmed reports claim that the suspect along with other “boys” at the workshop beat up the deceased.

    When the late apprentice returned home, he reportedly complained to his parents about certain discomforts and narrated his ordeal at his place of work.

    The parents of the deceased decided to take him to a hospital for a checkup, but he died before he could get healthcare.

    It was, however, learnt that the suspect has gone into hiding since Onome’s death was broken

    Local sources claimed the matter has been reported at the Sapele Police Division.

  • Delta police detonate bomb on oil facility

    The Delta State Police Command has safely detonated a two-kilogramme improvised explosive device (IED) at the Dibi tank farm in Escravos in Warri North.

    Commissioner of Police Muhammadu Mustafa, who briefed reporters yesterday, said the bomb was detonated on a Chevron facility.

    He said his men, acting on intelligence, discovered the IED at the base of the oil pumping pipe.

    Mustafa said items recovered are a two-kilogramme  seismic dynamite, electric donator and 13 meters wire connected to the base of the pipe.

    “On  April 6, through information that hoodlums had planted suspected improvised explosive device in Chevron Escravos Flow station, the command’s IED experts were deployed to the scene.

    ‘’They discovered that the objects were planted at the base of the flow pump, ostensibly to cause serious damage as the petroleum products in the pipe could have caused serious conflagration on the facility.”

    Mustafa said pictures of the IED were beamed to headquarters, with officers giving instructions to detonate the device.

    He said the IED was designed to use heat emanating from the pumping pipe to set off the dynamite.

    Head of EOD unit said: “When I received the report, I asked the team leader on ground to assess the situation and brief me.

    ‘’After clarifying that there was IED on ground, I requested that pictures be uploaded to my phone and having studied it and working with my men on ground, we devised a strategy and following my instructions, we detonated the IED”.

  • Police vow to rescue abducted DPO unhurt

    The Delta State Police Command has intensified efforts to rescue the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) in charge of ‘C’ Division, Asaba, who was allegedly kidnapped by gunmen last Sunday along Agbor-Asaba highway.

    The spokesperson of the command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said on Tuesday in Asaba that the police had initiated moves to rescue the DPO.

    “The command has dispatched a crack team of detectives to track down the hoodlums and rescue the victim,” the police spokesman said.

    “We are presently on the heels of the hoodlums and detectives have been mandated to rescue the DPO unhurt.

    “As a police force, we have always responded swiftly to issues of security and safety of all residents in the state.  It is our duty call.

    “Moreso, when our own flesh and blood is involved. We will do everything humanly possible to secure his freedom.

    “All we need from the public is support and information.”

    He vowed that the command would ensure that the DPO was rescued unhurt, adding, “it is our task to make sure that the officer is freed and unharmed.”

    NAN

  • Delta police, groups meet to curtail activities of cultists/herdsmen

    Delta police, groups meet to curtail activities of cultists/herdsmen

    THE Delta State Police Command and various vigilant groups in Ughelli North local government area, yesterday hold summit, at Ughelli ‘A’ Division, vowed to flush the activities of cultists and Fulani herdsmen terrorising communities in the state.
    The Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, who made this vow during a summit organised by the Ughelli ‘A’ Divisional Police Station, said partnering with the vigilante in the area will bring the activities of cult related crime and Fulani herdsmen to minimal.
    The Commissioner of Police, who was represented by CSP Anietie Eyoh, Divisional Police Officer, ‘B’ Division, Warri, said the summit was timely, saying that it will enhance the operation of the police since the vigilante groups are fully on ground and know some of the hoodlums and cultists.
    Earlier, the Ughelli ‘A’ Divisional Police Officer, CSP Acha Jonathan, said the essence of the summit is to bring on board security stakeholders in Ughelli North local government area to together to brainstorm on sensitive security challenges on the activities of Fulani herdsmen and cultists in area.

  • Delta police smash ‘baby factory’

    Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a commercial bus driver and an estate agent for allegedly operating a ‘baby factory’ and child abduction.

    The suspects, identified as Jennifer Obi and Osita Okafor, were arrested along with seven girls.

    Six of the girls, according to the police, are currently pregnant.

    The suspects, who were paraded in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, denied the allegations. They claimed to have been arrested at a maternity home where they were receiving treatment from a midwife.

    The spokesman of the state’s police command, Celestina Kalu, a Superintendent of Police(SP) said: “One Blessing Aondoseer ‘f’ of Ominigboma camp reported at the ‘B’ Division Police station that sometimes in September 2016, her husband, one Telengu ‘m’ (surname unknown) brought her to Asaba with pregnancy for delivery. And that after delivering a baby boy, her husband, Jennifer Obi and two others took away her two-weeks-old baby to an unknown destination.”

    “Detectives swung into action and arrested Jennifer Obi and Osita Okafor. Seven other girls, out of which six are pregnant namely: Joy Chinwendu, Amaka Emeka Joy, Deborah Ogbonna, Ifunanya Agu, Chinecherem Agbo, Ogochukwu Okwe and Chioma Emmanuel were also arrested in the house of Osita Okafor at Oduke area, Asaba. The six pregnant girls confessed that they were there to sell their babies after delivery.”

    But Okafor denied the allegations, claiming that all suspects were arrested at his wife’s maternity home.

    He said that his wife had been away for about three months and that the pregnant girls came regularly for treatment.

    He added that the complainant raised the alarm after she was duped by her husband who collected the money for the ‘stolen child’ and disappeared.

    He claimed the complainant was given a paltry N2, 000 after which she raised the alarm.

    He said: “I am Osita Okafor, a bus driver in Asaba. My wife is a midwife. All these girls came for treatment before they were arrested. This complainant and her husband sold their baby. Her husband ran away with the money and gave her just N2, 000, and that is why the girl reported at the police station. The local vigilant moved in following the alarm she raised.”

    The 40-year-old bus driver and father-of-three denied being a member of the syndicate, adding that he was getting ready for work when he was arrested. The other accused person, Obi, denied her involvement in the alleged crime.

    She said that as an estate agent, she was doing her job, adding that she found a room for the complainant and her husband. According to her, on the day they went to look for a room, she observed that the complainant experienced labour pains and she assisted her to get to a maternity home.

    The leader of the Tiv community in Asaba, Paul Tyokase Ngutur, who acted as interpreter for the complainant, said that Blessing Aondoseer was married to another man who impregnated her in Mbausu community. But because he had no money for the welfare of his pregnant wife, he returned her to her parents only to discover that her parents were separated.

    According to him, Blessing’s mother, who did not know what to do with her pregnant daughter was approached by Telengu, who promised to marry her and subsequently brought her to Asaba only to sell the two-weeks-old baby upon delivery and disappeared.

    He said Blessing and her husband Telengu hails from  Mbausu community, Vandekya Local Government Area of Benue State.

    He said investigation revealed that the fleeing Telengu had commenced the building of his home in Benue from the proceeds of child sale.