Troops of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1, Joint Task Force, South South (Operation Delta Safe) have eliminated one of their wanted cult kingpins and also apprehended another gang member in Pessu community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a Friday statement, 63 Brigade Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau confirmed that the gang was heavily armed and behind recent violent encounters and a series of kidnapping-for-ransom activities.
One of the suspects, Stephen Fragene Pessu, was arrested and has allegedly owned up to membership in the notorious gang, providing security agents with valuable information on their activities.
The Army spokesperson disclosed that a second raid led to an exchange of fire where the cult leader, whose name only goes by Mr. Dele, was killed. The soldiers also recovered a pump-action gun at the scene.
He added that efforts were underway to arrest the rest of the group members and recover additional weapons.
Commander, 63 Brigade/Sector 1, JTF OPDS, Brigadier MA Shonibare, also commended the professionalism of the troops and tasked them to intensify pressure on criminal activities within the area.
He reassured Delta State citizens that the Brigade was determined to safeguard lives and property and encouraged citizens to go on with their daily activities without any fear of intimidation.
