JTF raids illegal arms manufacturing hideout, nabs 18 suspects in Ughelli, Delta State
CHINEDU WOSU, YENAGOA
The Joint Military Task force, code named Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, in the Niger Delta has raided an arms manufacturing hideout and arrested 18 notorious armed criminals who specialized in manufacturing illegal and locally made arms and ammunition in Ughelli, Delta State.
The command said the suspects were arrested following a shootout between them and the troops of the command.
Briefing newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital, Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apoch Ogabu said the troops of the command also apprehended three principal suspects in connection with the arms manufacturing.
Parading the three suspects before newsmen at the command’s headquarters, Rear Admiral Ogabu said the arrest of the suspects were in accordance with its mandate to protect oil and gas infrastructures, deter and prevent sea robbery, crude oil theft, militancy and other forms of criminalities in the Niger Delta region.
He gave the names of the three paraded principal suspects as Mr. Isiyaka Uckuko, Ese James and Elvis Philips who are now undergoing interrogation in the command’s office.
Similarly, troops of the OPDS arrested one Mr. Mathew Okafor, aged 50 in connection with the buying and selling of an international oil company’s well head accessories popularly known as ‘xmas tree.’
Rear Admiral Ogabu also said the troops of OPDS arrested a 42 year old man simply identified as Nkwe Godspower who specialized in oil bunkering activities.
Identified as a kingpin, the command said during his arrested ten cheque booklets belonging to different banks were recovered. Other items recovered from the suspect include an international passport, identity card and the sum of N1.1 m.
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The commander insisted that both suspects are currently in the command’s custody as they are undergoing preliminary investigation.
Rear Admiral Ogabu appealed to members of the public to assist the command with relevant information to curb the menace of sea piracy, armed robbery, illegal oil bunkering and other social vices in the region.
Items recovered from the 18 arrested suspects include13 short barrel locally made guns, 5 double barrel locally made pistols,10 locally made pistols, 3 live cartridges, one empty cartridge and 2 rounds of 7.62 millimeter special ammunition.
