The Delta State Police Command has reportedly shot dead a suspected armed robber, and arrested another said to be terrorising Okpanam community, and environs, near Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The Guardian gathered that operatives of Ekpan Divisional undercover surveillance patrol team arrested the suspect on May 31, at about 9:40 p.m., while on routine patrol along Army Barracks Link Road off Refinery Road, Ekpan.
The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect and his gang were double-crossed by a tricycle with three Police officers but on noticing that they were policemen, the hoodlums took to their heels.
He said they were given a hot chase which led to the arrest of one of the suspects with a black bag, one cut-to-size double barrel gun and two live cartridges.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect stated that the two other suspects who escaped were his gang members, and they usually double-crossed their victims, robbed them, and sometimes kidnapped them.
“Following his confession, the suspect was taken to their hideout along Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Link Road, he jumped into the bridge in an attempt to escape and was maimed by the operatives.
“The suspect was taken to Ekpan General Hospital for medication but was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
“Effort to arrest other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing,” he said
Edafe also confirmed the arrest of one Emeka Okafor with a motorcycle while six members of his gang escaped.
He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Okpanam Police Division led operatives to the scene where the suspects on sighting the Policemen took to their heels, adding that the police have started a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
