No fewer than 30 dare-devil armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists were on Monday charge to court in Delta state.
The suspects were accused of murder, conspiracy to rob, kidnap, robbery and kidnapping, cultism and engaging men of the command in cross-fire during their escapade, which resulted in the death of some policemen.
The new Commissioner of Police in the state, Alkali Usman, who read riot act to criminals in the state while parading them at the command headquarters in Asaba before they were moved to court, said 48 armed robbers and kidnappers were actually arrested but 30 were found guilty of prosecution.
He listed their crimes to include snatching of cars at gun point and raiding students’ hostels and market places at random.
He said the 10 cultists among them were caught during initiation ceremonies at different locations were they pitched their hideouts.
He said, “I am now in Delta, the challenges of criminality are there but the command is up to the task. With our visibility patrol, we are invigorated. I can assure the populace in Delta state that order and tranquillity has come to stay.”
He said no suspected criminal would be allowed to stay in the cell unduly but “will be prosecuted as soon as investigation is completed.”