Armed robbers have shot dead a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in a robbery attempt in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The robbery was, however, repelled by the troops of Operation Still Water II of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in the early hours of Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

The brigade’s Chief of Staff, Col. Ibrahim Gambari, said 145 suspects were subsequently arrested after the robbery attempt.

Gambari, who paraded the suspects and items recovered from them, said the troops arrested eight of the suspects at the crime scene.

He disclosed that two robbers were shot and wounded while two others fled with bullet wounds.

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He said: “At about 3 a.m. on Tuesday, men of Operation Still Water II responded to a distress call about the robbery.

“We got there and met an exchange of gunfire. The robbers had gunned down a police officer and our men engaged them in another gun duel.

“In the process, two of the suspects were shot and captured along with eight others, while two others managed to escape with bullet wounds.

“After the incident, troops swooped on criminal hotspots in the area and arrested another 135 suspects.

“We also recovered a locally-made pistol with live cartridge at the scene of crime and many items stolen from residents of the neighbourhood.

“After the random arrests, residents identified eight of the suspects as criminal elements terrorising the area.”

Gambari added that the suspects have been handed over to the police for profiling and prosecution.

The Star