Police uncover criminal hideout, where Sergeant was killed in Asaba

The police in Delta State have uncovered a criminal hideout in Cable Point area of Asaba.

Police operatives from the ‘C’ Division of the state command busted the underworld net during an operation which led to the arrest of 34 suspected cultists.

It was reported last week, that some hoodlums in Cable Point area of Asaba attacked a police patrol vehicle with machetes, leading to the death of a sergeant. The miscreants made away with the rifles of the operatives.

But acting on a tipoff, police operatives of the ‘C’ Division swooped on the hideout, a hotel in the area where the prime suspect of the attack on the police patrol vehicle was said to have escaped.

Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Anietie Eyoh, who led the operation had declined comments, but a credible police source said the raid was carried out on Monday night when the suspects had gathered apparently for operation.

The source said operatives from the division overwhelmed the suspected cultists who had to hide in the ceiling of the hotel but were smoked out and taken to the station.

“When we arrived, we occupied the entire place and they were looking for place to escape. So they climbed into the ceiling but because of the weight, the ceiling collapsed and they are dropped one after the other.

“That is how they were arrested, and they are suspected cultists. However, the kingpin who led that attack on the police vehicle last week was in a room with a lady. He escaped through the window,” the source said.

The source added that the lady who aided the escape of the prime suspect was among those in police custody, adding that she was being investigated with a view to tracking down the fleeing suspect.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said he was yet to be briefed about the development.