Delta Police Commissioner, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim
• Assure Of Peaceful Xmas/New Year Celebrations
Detectives attached to the Delta State Police Command have arrested 36 suspected pick-pockets within Asaba various parks and its environs terrorising unsuspecting passengers, including traders going to Onitsha.
Confirming the arrest of the suspects, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, told journalists in Asaba, yesterday, that the suspects were arrested on intelligence gathering at Ibusa Junction, around Ogbeogonogo Market and its environs, assuring that the Command had put proactive measures in place to cheek the activities of hoodlums ahead of the Yuletide season.
He said the suspects were undergoing interrogation and would be charged to court on completion of investigation if found culpable. While assuring Deltans of peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations, including 24-hour patrol and raiding of suspected flash points, which he said have led to reduction of crimes in the state capital and environs, compared to past years.
It was gathered that pickpockets disguise as passengers to rob unsuspecting persons of their belongs and in most cases, their handsets. Investigation revealed that teenage boys of between 16 and 18 years old are positioned in strategic areas in Asaba and its environs sometimes well-dressed and discussing politics with other Nigerians in strategic places, to rob passengers and traders, including pedestrian.
A motor mechanic, John Sunday was in the early hours robbed of his handset and N10, 000 by the pickpockets, who sometimes operate with tricycle on Okpanam Road.
Narrating his ordeals, the victim, John said: “I took tricycle from Flyover Junction heading to Okpanam road and I met two men inside the tricycle. When I came down, I only paid N50 and the rider zoomed off.
“By the time I put my hand into my pocket, my handset and N10, 000 had disappeared.” The victim called on the Police to be vigilant and bring the hoodlums to book.
