Suspected Bandits Return To Delta Community After DPO’s Redeployment

Suspected criminals have returned to Ebrumede and other neighbouring Communities in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

These suspected thieves operate under the Effurun roundabout of the community, even as they rob passengers and travellers inside commercial buses, tricycles  plying the Effurun/Ughelli road down to PTI junction.

Other flashpoints include: Ebrumede roundabout, Okuokoko and Ugbomro axis .

The Effurun roundabout is now a “No go area” from 6pm because the suspected armed robbers carry out their nefarious activities during day and night.

The suspected thieves most times trailed and robbed residents and indigenes who have gone to the banks along the PTI road to make cash withdrawals with their ATM.

The nefarious activities of the suspected thieves who had once deserted the area have left the indigenes and residents in fear as they also lament.

This is coming barely three weeks after the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Adeyinka Adeleke allegedly released some arrested criminal suspects from the Police cell in Ebrumede Police Divisional Headquarters.

CP Adeleke also transfered virtually all the Policemen in the Division to other Stations before he redeployed the technology savvy Divisional Police Officer, CSP Anieteh Eyoh to Ovwian/Aladja Division.

When Our Correspondent visited the Ebrumede Police Division this morning, only about eleven Police Officers were seen on duty on uniform.

It was after the release of the suspects and subsequent transfer of policemen that the corpse of an unidentified man was found with serious machete cuts at the Ebrumede roundabout and till this moment, no one has come forward to claim relationship with the man.

Contacted, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Adeyinka Adeleke confirmed the redeployment of the CSP Anieteh Eyoh to Ovwian Aladja Division.

CP Adeleke whose mobile was answered by the Police Public Relations Officer,PPRO, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya in a response Monday evening said,”Yes”.

When Our Correspondent asked why the DPO was redeployed she said,”I won’t be able to answer that.”

in a chat with Our Correspondent, Mr. Gbenga Ahmed,the Delta State Correspondent of the Independent Television,ITV Benin,a resident in Effurun said there are pockets of armed robberies at the end of Uti road and parts of Alegbo within the Ebrumede Police Jurisdiction especially at night.

Ahmed added that the situation is the same in other areas.

Ahmed said he like any other resident lives in fear of the suspected armed robbers who operates at will.

A resident of Ugbomro Community simply identified as Etumudo said the Community’s junction by the expressway has become a haven for criminals. He said he goes home in fear particularly when closed late for work.

“The junction is now saturated with criminal elements and you drive with fear when going to your own house after the day’s work. No day passes without a robbery incident in this area.

“These criminals rob and maim people but for now, we have not recorded any death. The situation is really terrible in this area now and I call the Commissioner of Police to rectify any wrongs in this place.”

Also, a resident of Alegbo Community identified as Unugbrogodo said the criminal elements who deserted the are have returned.

Unugbrogodo,a businessman said his shop was burgled into and goods worth several millions of naira were allegedly carted away by suspected criminals.

He said the suspected thieves also operate and rob residents within the area.

He said, “We now sleep with one eye opened. I no longer sleep well at night and it is affecting my health and work. The Commissioner of Police have to help us in this area.”

The people of Ebrumede Community say the new Police building which is near completion will be abandoned with the redeployment of the crime fighting Divisional Police Officer, CSP Anieteh Eyoh.

On the other hand, the people of Ovwian/Aladja Community in Udu Local Government Area are jubilating over the redeployment the technology savvy DPO to their area.

They expressed the beliefs that he(CSP Eyoh) will tackle the high rate of cultism, armed robbery, rape and kidnappings in the area in addition to transforming the Police Station in terns of infrastructure with a view to making same a world standard.