The Delta State Police Command, on Tuesday, said it killed one suspected armed robber in an operation in the state, adding that another suspected armed robber was mobbed to death.

The command said one of the robbers killed was among a notorious gang that had been on its (the command’s) wanted list over their involvement in a foiled robbery operation in June, 2022.

It said the gang engaged officers of the command, who were acting on a tip-off, in a gun duel and in the process one of the suspected robbers was hit and injured. He was said to be confirmed dead when he was taken to hospital.

This is according to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Bright Edafe, on Tuesday.

“On 13/01/2023 at about 1645hrs, acting on a tip-off that some suspected notorious armed robbers who have been on the command’s wanted list over their involvement in a foiled robbery operation on 23/06/2022 in Orogun community, were seen gathered within the Unukpo – Orogun palm tree plantation. The DPO Orogun division in a proactive move to forestall another attack, mobilised and led police operatives to the area.

“As they were approaching the scene, the hoodlums opened fire on the Police which the police equally responded. The hoodlums took to flight due to the superior police fire power of the Police but during the ensuing gun duel, the gang leader, one Bobo Ononibe ‘m’ aged 26yrs of Ufuoma Street, Unukpo – Orogun community, Ughelli North LGA, sustained serious gunshot injuries, he was taken to the hospital where he was later certified dead by the doctor on duty.

“One locally made cut-to-size gun, three (03) cartridges, one machete, one dagger, native charms among others were recovered. Efforts are on to arrest the fleeing members of the gang,” the statement partly read.

Continuing, the statement noted that some members of the Ewherhe community in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state caught a suspected armed robber on January 16, 2023.

The statement said the police received a distress call that the suspect was being and quickly detailed patrol teams to the scene.

It added that although the suspect was rescued alive from the mob and taken to hospital, he died while receiving treatment.

“In another development, on 16/01/2023 at about 1125 hours, the DPO Agbarho Division received a distress call that some members of Ewherhe community Agbarho, Ughelli North LGA, caught a suspected armed robber along Ewherhe/Ovu road with one locally made cut-to-size double barrel gun and one live cartridge, some suspected stolen items which includes, one iPhone 11 pro-max, one HP laptop, one MP3 player and cash sum of eight thousand two hundred and twenty naira (N8,220) and that the suspect was being mobbed. The DPO detailed patrol teams to proceed, on getting to the scene, the mob escaped leaving the suspect badly beaten. Although the suspect was rescued and taken to the hospital, he died while receiving treatment. Investigation is ongoing.

“The Commissioner of Police Delta State Command, CP Ari Muhammed Ali, FCIA, psc+ while applauding the gallantry of the operatives of Orogun division for their bravery, condemns jungle justice, and advised members of the public to desist from it.

“He noted that jungle justice is not the right thing to do, but to hand over suspects to the Police for diligent investigation and prosecution,” it stated.