Police kill one, halt cult initiation in Delta

The Delta State Police Command said it killed one suspected armed robber during a gunfight and hindered a cult initiation in the state.

DSP Bright Edafe, the Police Public Relations Officers in the state, indicated this on Thursday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

In his words, “On September 22, 2021 men of the Delta State Police Command Rapid Response Squad while on stop and search duty along Benin/Asaba Express Road, Umunede, flagged down a Lexus 350 jeep with reg. No. WWR 343 MD, white in colour with three occupants.

“The suspects on noticing the operatives stopped abruptly and disembarked from the vehicle, shot indiscriminately, and ran into the bush.

“The operatives returned fire and went after them. During the gun duel, one of the hoodlums was fatally wounded while the remaining two escaped with bullets injuries.

“Upon search, a locally made pistol loaded with a live cartridge and two expended cartridges were recovered from the injured suspect.

Edafe said the hoodlums had snatched the recovered Lexus 350 Jeep from its owner at gunpoint around Warri axis on Saturday.

In another development, Operation Delta Hawk team on Monday foiled cult initiation in Agbor and arrested two suspects.

According to PPRO, police at Agbor received dependable information that cult activities to initiate new members into Vikings cult confraternity was ongoing at Aliokpo Power Line, off Old Warri Road, Agbor.

The team promptly swung into action and proceeded to the area and getting to the scene, two male suspects — Blessing Rex 30; and Lucky Wisdom, 18; were arrested while others absconded.