35 Suspects Nabbed by Joint Security Operation in Delta

A combined team of the Nigeria security agencies including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce, the Nigeria Police and Department of States Security personnel, have nabbed a total of 35 suspected criminals in Ekpan and neighbouring communities in Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State

This is sequel to the worrisome rate of criminal activities and proliferation of illegal arms in the locality in recent time, a situation that prompted a joint security operation leading to the arrest of suspects believed to be kingpins behind the series of crisis that have rocked the area.

The joint operation, code-named “Operation Yankari” also recovered a 63 loaded rifles and live ammunition from the house of a prominent chief alleged to sponsor recent sporadic shooting in the local government area.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the raid, Commander, 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army Benin, Edo State, Brigadier-General Faroque Yahaya, Commander, 61 NAF, Delta, Air Commodore Sani Zakari and the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Alkali Baba Usman, described the exercise as successful.

Parading the suspects, on Friday at the 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Effurun, Brig-Gen Farouk Yahaya, Commander 4th Brigade said the security agencies were determined to rid Delta of illicit arms.

Uvwie Local Government Area in recent times had recorded alarming crime rate with youths of the area known to be parading sophisticated illegal weapons, which they used in terrorising and molesting residents.

Brigadier-General Yahaya disclosed that the exercise would be a continuous one until criminal elements especially in Ekpan and Effurun communities were flushed out, noting that security agencies in the state would not fold their hands and allow hoodlums make the area unhabitable.

He said, "In the early hours of this morning. A joint operation codenamed “operation Yankari” was conducted by the military comprising elements from the Nigerian army, Nigerian navy, Nigerian Airforce, police and elements from state security service. It was a successful operation to check the spread of small arms in our means. Ammunitions were recovered and suspects were arrested.

"I just want reiterate that the security in Delta State are determined to rid our communities of illicit arms that are being used to terrorise law abiding citizens in the state. Those arrested will be investigated. The operation would be continuous as we continue to gather information. We advise those trafficking illicit arms to peacefully surround them