By Damilare Adeleye
IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, has said nine persons have been arrested in connection to the killings of police officers in the Ughelli area of Delta State.
The police chief disclosed this on Thursday at a management meeting of the Force.
He said those arrested are currently providing the Force with information that will assist in the arrest of those involved in the killings.
Six police officers were killed at Ohoro forest, in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on February 23, 2024.
The victims reportedly fell to an ambush by armed assailants while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest, Delta State, while six (6) others are currently missing-in-action.
The deceased officers include Inspector Abe Olubunmi (IRT) enlisted on 1st August, 2003; Inspector Friday Irorere (51 PMF) enlisted on 1st January, 2003; Sergeant Kuden Elisha (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; Sergeant Akpan Aniette (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; Sergeant Ayere Paul (IRT) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; and Sergeant Ejemito Friday (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011. While the officers currently missing-in-action include Inspector Onoja Daniel enlisted 1st February, 2003; Inspector Onogho Felix enlisted on 1st January, 2004; Inspector Emmanuel Okoroafor enlisted 1st April, 2004; Inspector Joel Hamidu enlisted 1st June 2006, Sergeant Moses Eduvie enlisted 17th October, 2011, all of 51 PMF; and Sergeant Cyril Okorie (SWAT) enlisted 17th October, 2011.
Their death came almost at the same time 17 military personnel were murdered in the oil-rich Delta State.
The soldiers were killed while on a peace mission in Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area (LGA) in an incident that caused nationwide outrage and condemnation.
Meanwhile, six other suspects connected with the killings are at large.