JTF Arrests 3 Arms Merchants In Niger Delta
…Intensifies clamp down on criminals
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA –Troops of Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) said it has successful conducted raid operations on identified local arms manufacturing hideouts in Arhavwarien Kingdom of Ughelli South in Delta State.
The Commander OPDS, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, who announced this at a press briefing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said during the operation, three principal suspects namely Isiyaka Uchuko, Ese James and Elvis Phillips were arrested following a shootout.
Similarly, some items were recovered from the suspects that include; 13 locally made Short barrel guns, five locally made Double-barrel guns, 10 locally made pistols, three live cartridges, one empty cartridge and two Rounds of 7.62 millimetre special ammunition.
The Commander, who was represented by Commander Sector One, Colonel Moses Gara further said following a tip off, troops arrested one Mathew Okafor, 50 years old in connection with buying and selling of an International oil company wellhead popularly known as “Xmas Tree” and other wellhead accessories.
He said troops also arrested a wanted oil bunkering kingpin, Mr Nkwe Godspower, 42 years old, adding that items recovered during his arrest include, 10 Cheque booklets belonging to different banks, an international passport, five different Identity cards and a sum of 1,000,100. 00 only. The commander said that both suspects are under our custody undergoing preliminary investigation.
Admiral Suleiman commended members of the public and the press for the support given to troops in their effort to achieve OPDS mandate and appealed to members of the public to provide timely information to troops in order to get rid of criminals from the region.
