The Police Command in Delta has arrested a suspect and recovered assorted weapons from him in the state. Spokesman for the command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this on Tuesday in Warri.
Edafe said that the 45-year-old suspect was apprehended on Saturday by the operatives of Orerokpe Police Division in collaboration with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group, Osubi unit.
He said that the suspect and his accomplices were conveying musical equipment in two Sienna vehicles before they were intercepted by the police team on the Warri/Sapele Road.
The command’s spokesman said that the other occupants fled on sighting the police.
He said that a search conducted on the vehicles led to the recovery of three locally-made single-barrel guns and one live cartridge.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly identified the leader of the gang as a suspect who was previously arrested and arraigned for armed robbery, before being granted bail on health grounds.
“Further investigation led the joint team to a Scrap Yard in Warri, suspected to be the gang’s operational base.
“Items recovered from the yard included three motorcycles, 22 air conditioners, 13 washing machines, 29 motorcycle and tricycle engines.
“Others are: musical equipment, television sets, a generator, a laptop and other suspected stolen items,” he said.
Edafe said that the preliminary investigation linked the gang to recent armed robberies within Kwale and Warri.
He added that efforts were underway to arrest the gang leader and the other fleeing members of the gang.