It was a scandalous sight when a 17-member armed robbery gang, including a serving police inspector was paraded by the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army for their involvement in various crimes.
Also paraded was a five-man kidnap gang and others involved in illegal bunkering.
Reports had it that the 60-year-old Inspector, whose name was given as Nanagha Aduoumeni, attached to ‘A’ Department, Nigeria Police Force, Bayelsa State Command, was arrested on June 26, by troops of 222 Battalion on patrol at Ohoror Junction, along Bomadi Road in Delta State at about 2.am.
The Brigade Public Relations Officer, Capt. Roselyn Managbe, who briefed the press on behalf of the Brigade Commander, Brig-Gen. Pat Akem said the suspect was caught blocking the road with woods, while other members of his gang, who were armed, took cover in thick bush along the road.
“When they sighted the Nigerian Army Quick Response Group driving towards them, Inspector Nanagha tried to withdraw back into the bush, but he was caught while other members of his gang escaped into the creeks”, Capt. Managbe explained.
She said the inspector, in his confessional statement, revealed that members of his gang were all serving police personnel, who indulge in robbery after their normal police duties.
“The suspect also confessed that Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Okubopagha and Inspector Okoro of ‘B’ Department Nigeria Police Force, Bayelsa State Command, are members of his gang”, Managbe told journalists. She said item recovered from the gang were unconfirmed Nigeria Police Identity Card and a Nokia Handset.
Speaking to journalists, Aduoumeni said he joined the police on May 1, 1982 and that he was introduced to armed robbery by ASP Okubopagha, claiming that he was caught in his first operation with the gang.
“I was arrested at Bomadi. I was caught the first day I joined. We were six in number.
“Others were in uniform, but I was not. ASP Okubopagha introduced me; they were with police guns.”
“We robbed only two vehicles. When we were about to go, they gave me only N5,000. I don’t know how much they collected,” Aduoumeni said.
Asked how he feels with his arrest, the suspect and father of two from Ayakoromo, Delta State, said, “I feel for my children and wife now that I have been arrested.
Also paraded was a five-man kidnap gang, who abducted one Mrs. Ebi Leizou in Effurun, Delta State, and dispossessed her of her Highlander SUV vehicle in addition to obtaining N500, 000 and N850, 000 from the victim and her family.
The Army also paraded several suspects from whom several drums and jerry cans of illegally refined petroleum products were seized.
Capt. Managbe said the suspects would be handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.