Luck smiled on a lady (name withheld) who was pushed out of a moving tricycle she boarded from PTI junction to Orerokpe community in the Warri axis of Delta State with two other passengers as she later recovered all valuables stolen from her.
The two passengers and the driver of the tricycle had turned against her while approaching Okudiete community in Okpe local government area and made away with her phone, handbag containing money, and other valuables.
A statement by the state police public relations officer, DSP Bright Edafe, on Monday said that soon after she was pushed out of the keke, she immediately boarded another tricycle and reported the incident to the Orerokpe Police Division.
DSP Edafe said: “Upon receipt of the report, DPO Orerokpe CSP Paul Oboware deployed his Visibility Patrol Team on a stop and search duty at Oha Junction.
“Sequel to the tip-off, the patrol team swiftly gave the robbers a hurt chase and succeeded in arresting two of the suspects.
“Meanwhile, one of the hoodlums escaped through the bush, and all items robbed from the victim were recovered from the robbers, including a tricycle with REG NO: ASB56QD.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are notorious robbers who specialise in robbing unsuspecting passengers of their personal belongings while in transit on a tricycle. Similarly, efforts are ongoing to arrest the other fleeing suspect and to discover other associates of the syndicate.”
Meanwhile, one suspected armed robber has been shot dead in Okpanam, near Asaba, following a gun duel with the police.
The statement said, “On March 24, at about 0255 hrs, while working on a distress call, the Delta Hawk Team, collaborating with the Okpanam Divisional Police Headquarters, proceeded to Marble Hill Junction in response to a distress call about an ongoing armed robbery operation at Play Learn Academy School.
” The officers mounted surveillance within the scene of the robbery, where they sighted an Okada rider and two occupants.
“Upon sighting the team advancing towards them, they took to their heels and immediately started shooting at the police operatives.
“During the gun duel, one of the suspected armed robbers sustained gunshot injuries, while one English Pump Action gun and one cut-to-size single barrel gun with three cartridges were recovered.
“The injured suspect was taken to the hospital, where he died while receiving treatment. Efforts are on top gear to recover more firearms and further arrest other fleeing suspects.
However, the state commissioner of police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has reassured the public of his steadfastness and commitment to uphold law and order in the state, appealing to them to be law-abiding and live within the ambit of the law.
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