By Sylvester Idowu
Five persons, believed to be specialists in vandalising pipelines, have been arrested by the personnel of the Delta State Police Command.
The suspects, Lukeman Jimoh, Shola Bimigo, Yahaya Ikane, Ebi Yeregha and Lawal Aliyu were apprehended last Saturday while conveying 170 pieces of pipelines in a lorry, which were suspected to have been stolen.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright disclosed yesterday that the suspects were intercepted at about 5.45 pm by policemen from “A” Division, Warri.
“On May 8, 2021, at about 5:45 pm, the Anti-Crime Patrol of ‘A’ Division Warri, while on routine patrol, intercepted a lorry with registration number BDG358YA with five suspects on board.
“On searching, the lorry was loaded with 170 pieces of six-inch pipes already cut to various sizes. The suspects are alleged experts in the act of vandalising pipeline at Ogulagha. They were arrested while the lorry was impounded,’’ Bright said.
The Police Spokesman also confirmed the death of three suspected kidnappers in the state explaining that the deceased, Onome Efetobore, Collins (surname unknown) and Glory Reuben, were beaten to death by an angry mob after a failed kidnapped attempt.
Bright said the incident occurred last Sunday at Oghara in Ethiope West local government area of the state.
“On May 10, 2021, at about 10:30hrs, information was received that a mob was attacking three suspected kidnappers, who attempted to kidnap a victim at Oghara Junction.
“Consequently, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Oghara Division, mobilised his patrol team and a vigilance team to the scene to rescue Efetobore, Collins and Reuben.
“They were seriously beaten and were rushed to the Oghara General Hospital by the police, but were later confirmed dead,’’ he said.
Bright said that exhibits recovered from the suspects included a locally made pistol and three live cartridges.
