Residents of Aladja community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State have expressed serious concerns about their safety following the escape of two notorious armed robbers from police custody at the Ovwian/Aladja Division. The community has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to hold the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Zone 5 and the Delta State Commissioner of Police accountable for the incident.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, Emmanuel Emetejitaye, Chairman of the Aladja Welfare Council (Youth), voiced the communityâs apprehension. He said, âThe lives of everyone involved in the arrests are now at risk. These armed robbers may seek revenge, and no one knows who their targets might be.â
The incident dates back to December 31, 2024, when four notorious armed robbers were apprehended by a local volunteer security outfit in Aladja and handed over to the Ovwian/Aladja Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.
However, shock and anger erupted when the youths learned from the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO 1), identified as Musa, that two of the suspects had mysteriously escaped from the police cell.
âWe asked how such a thing could happen in a well-secured cell like that of the Ovwian/Aladja Police Station. Was the lock broken? They said no. Were the walls breached? They said no. Then how did two of the most dangerous criminals escape without any explanation?â Emetejitaye queried.
The community youths have now demanded that the IGP hold the AIG of Zone 5 accountable for the escape and ensure the immediate rearrest of the fugitives. They are also calling for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the officers on duty at the time.
Emetejitaye pointed out several inconsistencies, saying, âThe station has about five cells, yet only the cell holding these two suspects was unlocked. Isnât that suspicious? If there were others in that cell, why didnât they escape too? To leave the station, the robbers would have passed through a long passage. Where were the officers on duty, including the station guards, when this occurred?â
The community expressed frustration, stating that the policeâs failure to secure the suspects undermines the efforts of local security operatives who risk their lives to apprehend criminals.
Emetejitaye urged the government to restore confidence in the local security structure by ensuring justice is served and taking immediate steps to recapture the escaped suspects.
He concluded by appealing to the Delta State Government and the IGP to launch a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape, emphasizing that the communityâs safety remains at risk until the criminals are brought back into custody.
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