Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have apprehended a 77-year-old welder for allegedly supplying criminals with guns to carry out their activities.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, said the suspect identified as Michael Enipozi was discovered in his village, Irri, in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state, following the confession of an armed robbery suspect, 28-year-old Emma Ighodalo, in police custody.
Edafe said upon arrest, three double-barrel guns, two single barrel guns and other tools used in producing guns were recovered from Enipozi.
“On 20/11/2021 at about 0500hrs following a distressed call that three suspected armed robbers were in the premises of one man (name withheld) along Ozoro/ Ughelli road. The DPO Ozoro Division CSP Ogedengbe Areguamen led a combined team of Police/vigilante to the scene.
“The suspected armed robbers on sighting the police teams took to their heels, and the team gave them a hot chase during which one of the suspects named Emma Ighodalo ‘m’ of Irri village aged 28yrs was arrested with one live cartridge while two members of his gang escaped.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he threw his gun away somewhere in the bush as he was running and that he bought the said gun from One Michael Enipozi for the sum of #30,000. The suspect led the Police to Irri village, where they told Michael Enipozi ‘m’ of Irri in Isoko south LGA aged 77yrs was arrested.
“Three double-barrel guns, two single barrel guns and other tools used in producing guns were recovered from him.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the 77yrs old suspect is a welder who produces guns for criminals, and he admitted that he sold the gun to the suspect and that he has been in the business of producing guns for the past twenty years. Manhunt for the other two fleeing suspects is ongoing.”
The Police spokesman also confirmed the arrest of a 65-year-old suspect, Solomon Udanya, during a raid of a criminal hideout in Emevor, Isoko North Local Government Area.
He said 130 rounds of live cartridges, one single barrel long gun, three packets of tramadol, and various contraband drugs were recovered from the suspect.
Disclosing that the investigations were still ongoing, Edafe further confirmed the arrest of three suspected motorcycle thieves with a locally made pistol and two cartridges in the Bomadi area of the state.
