According to the Delta State Police Command, Gift Peace, a 14-year-old suspect who was detained in connection with a robbery case in the state, admitted to starting the crime when he was just seven years old.
Gift was apprehended after a distress call was received at the “B” Division Warri on September 29, according to the state police public relations officer, DSP Edafe Bright, who announced this in a message on the command’s X account on Wednesday.
He explained that one of the suspects was seen during their robbery operation at the Giwamu Junction in Warri, and that a police undercover agent followed him to a suya site at Enerhen Junction, where he was apprehended.
He claimed that after a gunfight between the robbery group and the command officers, one of the gang’s alleged commanders was killed.
The following is a portion of the statement: “The youth confessed to being a member of an armed robbery gang that terrorises Warri and its surroundings and that he has been involved in the act since he was seven (7) years old. He brought the detectives to their hiding place after mentioning additional members.
“The gang members opened fire from their unlicensed, operating tricycle when they spotted the police, and proper retaliation was given to their animosity. In the process, one of the suspects—later revealed to be the gang’s leader—suffered critical gunshot wounds while the others managed to flee.
“He was brought to the hospital, where the doctor eventually declared him dead. The exhibit that was found consists of the gang’s working trike, one cut-to-size single barrel gun built locally, three live cartridges, and a store of spent ammunition.
Idigbe Osreis (19) and Idigbe Perfect (16), two male gang members, were subsequently apprehended in their hideout. More of their operating arms are being sought for, and efforts are still being made to apprehend the evading members.
“The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, advises parents to be aware of their responsibilities and safeguard the future of their wards by monitoring and teaching them important precautionary lessons that will help them avoid bad companies and, as a result, stay away from criminal activities. This is in addition to stressing the necessity of adequate parenting as an essentiality in the fight against crime.
