Aladja Youths Demand Accountability After Notorious Armed Robbers Escape Police Custody

Youths in Aladja Community, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, have called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to hold the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Zone 5 and the Delta State Commissioner of Police accountable for the escape of two notorious armed robbers from police custody at the Ovwian/Aladja Division.

The community, represented by the Chairman of the Aladja Welfare Council, Mr. Emmanuel Emetejitaye, voiced their concerns over the safety of the community and individuals involved in the arrest of the criminals, noting that the robbers’ escape has put their lives at risk.

“We are worried because no one knows who will fall prey to the vengeance of these deadly armed robbers,” Emetejitaye lamented.

The escape came after four armed robbers were arrested by a volunteer security outfit in Aladja on December 31, 2024, and handed over to the Ovwian/Aladja Police Division for further investigation and prosecution. The community, however, was left shocked when the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO 1), identified as Musa, informed them that two of the four arrested suspects had escaped from the station’s police cell.

Emetijitaye expressed confusion over the circumstances of the escape, highlighting the well-fortified nature of the station’s cells. He questioned the police’s explanation, asking, “We asked them how they escaped, knowing that Ovwian/Aladja Police station cell is well fortified. We asked if the keys were broken, and they said no. We asked if the walls were broken, and the answer was still no. So, we are wondering, how did two of the most notorious suspects escape? They could not answer.”

In response to the situation, the Aladja community has called on IGP Kayode Egbetokun to hold the AIG Zone 5 accountable for the escape of the armed robbers. “The action of the Police has gone a long way to dampen the morale of everyone who was involved in the operation. We are calling on the government to boost the morale of the operatives by rearresting the fleeing armed robbers,” Emetejitaye said.

The community has also urged the IGP and the Delta State Government to investigate the police officers on duty at the time of the escape. “They have about five cells in that area, and only one cell where the two escapees were, was not locked. Is that not something to think about?” Emetejitaye asked. He further questioned the police, saying, “If it is not only the two persons who were in the cell, who were the others that did not escape that night? If these guys escaped, they would have had to walk through a long passage to get to the counter. Where were the policemen and women on duty at that time? We also have station guards who are stationed around the Police station—where were they when these guys escaped?”

The Aladja community is demanding swift action from the relevant authorities to ensure the robbers are re-arrested and that those responsible for the escape are held accountable.