By Oginyi Ruth
Over 20 hoodlums have been arrested by operation PUFF ADDER squad in Ebonyi State while stolen items were recovered.
Operation Puff Adder was launched to checkmate criminal activities including kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery in the state.
OPA was launched on April 16, 2019, by the zone 6 AIG Musa Kimo. The operation has recorded several achievements since its launched.
Parading the suspects in Abakaliki on Friday, the Ebonyi State Command Commissioner of Police, Awosola Awotinde revealed that seven of the suspects were arrested in connection with cult related activities in Ezza North and South LGA of the state.
CP Awotinde added that other suspects were arrested for kidnapping , car snatching , vandalism and armed robbery.
Some of the items recovered from the suspects include Seven vehicles including a Toyota Corolla with Reg. Number NCA 990 AA, Mercedes Benz S320 Reg. Number AQ 01 AAA, Toyota Avalon XLE with reg no. ENU 302 EQ and Toyota corolla with Reg. Number MA 08 APP.
Others are; Innoson Jeep with Reg. Number NKE 719 EV, Ford Escape with reg. Number FGE 415 TN and Honda Odyssey, ENu 905 RA.
The commissioner appealed to owners of the recovered vehicles to come to the command with prove of ownership and claim their car.
The command also recovered nine locally made long gun, one English Barretta pistol, one G.P.M.G riffle mouth, six English pump action, two locally made pistol, and one expanded AK 47 Ammunitions. As well as half bucket of gasoline oil, spanners, axe and three installations.
He said that the suspects will be arraigned after investigation and warn criminals to leave Ebonyi State as Puff Adder operation team will continue to arrest and prosecute them.
Adding that the command remained unwavering in its total determination and commitment at ridding the state of all form of crimes and criminality .
“It is advised that criminal- minded persons should in their interest either change their way or relocate from the state as it is no longer a safe haven for them”, he said.
