In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement in Delta State, alleged notorious armed robbers Patrick Emete and Alex Uwagbafor have been captured for their purported involvement in the burglary of the Redeem Christian Church of God, commonly known as “Dominion Mega,” in Orerokpe Local Government Area. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Bright Edafe confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday, providing details of the compelling sequence of events leading to the suspects’ capture.
The criminal duo is accused of executing a bold operation on November 17, specifically targeting the church premises and making off with a significant haul of musical instruments. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Orerokpe, CSP Paul Obaware, responded swiftly to the reported incident, mobilizing his operatives and coordinating efforts to recover the stolen items.
The plot took an unexpected turn on November 19 when one of the suspects, Patrick Emete, inadvertently attracted attention by attempting to sell a stolen amplifier on his Facebook page. Detectives, posing as potential buyers, not only identified the stolen item but also traced Emete to Effurun Roundabout, where he was apprehended at approximately 1304hrs on the same day.
The unraveling of Emete’s involvement in the crime paved the way for the arrest of his accomplice, Alex Uwagbafor, aged 45, residing at New Era Clinic Deco Road, Warri. Preliminary investigations have painted a picture of the suspects as notorious and unrepentant thieves with a penchant for burgling churches, shops, and homes.
The recovery of an extensive array of stolen items from the suspects further underscores the gravity of their alleged criminal activities. Among the retrieved items are 20 big loudspeakers, 15 large mixer amplifiers, three generator sets, four keyboards, 10 industrial standing fans, 12 power amplifiers, one complete drum set, one guitar, one power mic, two standing freezers, two plasma televisions, two home theaters, one washing machine, and three stabilizers.
The arrests not only signify a triumph for law enforcement in curbing criminal elements but also underscore the commitment to safeguarding places of worship and communal spaces from unlawful intrusions. As the legal proceedings unfold, this incident serves as a reminder of the tireless efforts undertaken by law enforcement agencies to uphold justice and maintain the security of communities.
