LAGOS SEPTEMBER 1ST (URHOBOTODAY)-Reports reaching Urhobotoday revealed that Operation Crocodile Smile launched recently by Nigeria Army in Delta state has started yielding result with arrest of suspected criminals in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State.
Army source revealed that it had arrested five armed robbery suspects known to be terrorising East-West Road between Ughelli and Patani axis in Delta State, during a reconnaissance exercise in the area.
This was contained in a statement signed by Colonel Sani Usman, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Usman, troops of 222 Battalion, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army involved in the field training exercise of Operation Crocodile Smile carried out patrols in Ughelli South and Isoko South local government areas of Delta State.
He said: “Following intelligence report, a robust patrol team was dispatched to raid suspected criminal hideouts at Ehweru community in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
“The team was able to track down and arrest hoodlums known for terrorising commuters plying the East-West road between Ughelli to Patani.
“The team arrested five suspects which include Messrs Oruno Egbede, Atiyoyo Rewemuesere, Peter Kehinde, Wilson Godbless and Friday Odede and recovered one Locally made gun, one dagger and a cutlass from the suspects.
“As part of the training programme, the exercising unit would continue to dominate the general area with patrols and raids of reported or suspected hideouts of criminals.”
Similarly, Usman said at 3.45am, another patrol team of the unit raided house number 4, Temile Street, off Egor Road in Ughelli, which served as the residence of Gabriel Ogbudje, a supposedly ex-militant leader.
He added: “Ogbudje is now leader of the Otugas Fire Force, a new militant group in the Niger Delta.
“Although still at large, he is suspected to be responsible for the recent acts of economic sabotage perpetrated at NPDC/shoreline major delivery trunk line within Ogor-oteri communities on August 29.”
However, Usman said Vincent Ekeke and Henry Koko alongside Racheal Abbah and Amaratefa Odada were found at the residence and were invited for questioning.
He added: “The troops will continue to maintain vigilance, carry out raids and patrols as part of the training exercise in the general area as part of their routine activities to improve proficiency and professionalism.
“Reconnaissance is also ongoing to detect the site of economic sabotage on NPDC/shoreline pipeline along Ogor-Oteri swamps in Ughelli South and Ughelli North local government areas by some criminals.”