Troops of the 63 Brigade/Sector 1, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, have dismantled a criminal gang and recovered arms and ammunition in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. The operation led to the arrest of two suspected criminals believed to be members of a notorious cult group that had been terrorising the area and neighbouring communities. The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Warri by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau.
According to the statement, the operation was carefully planned and executed after troops had monitored the gang’s activities for some time, based on credible intelligence, particularly following a recent operation around Ibusa.During the raid, troops recovered two pump-action rifles from the suspects, while an additional three pump-action rifles were recovered from individuals identified as local vigilantes. The arrested suspects and recovered weapons have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
The statement added that follow-up operations in the area led to the recovery of eight more pump-action rifles at Umuisiagba. In the subsequent operation, 13 suspects were arrested. They include Nwaokonta Elvis, Obi Victor Woke, Uba Elijah, Nonso Ibiora, Dumbili Ezefili, Ndefu Ifeanyi, Ozemene Richard, Broderick Patrick, Nwaokonta Afamefile, Kelvin Ejiani, Victor Ogochukwu, Ogadi Kelvin Ikechukwu and Ndibuisi Obiogonna, identified as a native doctor.Commending the troops for their vigilance, the Commander of 63 Brigade, Brigadier General M. A. Shonibare, urged them to sustain pressure on criminal networks operating within the area. He also reassured residents of Delta State and neighbouring communities of the brigade’s continued commitment to prioritising the safety of lives and property.
