The arrested suspects
The operatives of the Delta State Police Command said they have arrested two suspected kidnappers in the state.
They also disclosed that they arrested four armed robbery / cult suspects.
In the operations, they further revealed that they recovered arms and ammunition from the suspects.
Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), for the.state, disclosed in a statement made available to Daily Independent.
Edafe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said that on October 31, 2023, at about 10.17 pm, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe, CSP Paul Oboware received a distressed call about a suspected kidnap of one man (name withheld) by three armed men.
The.police image maker said the kidnappers later contacted the family abd demanded N5 million ransom.
Edafe said that on receipt of the report, the D PO swiftly mobilized and led detectives to the scene of the incident, combed all adjoining streets and bushes in search of hoodlums, and to possibly rescue the victim.
“The victim was later released after an undisclosed ransom was paid. Armed with available information, the DPO did not relent and has been on an intelligence-based investigation since the date of the incident. “The effort of the Command paid off when on 05/03/2024 at about 1700hrs, with the aid of a technically generated intelligence-led investigation, two male suspects namely Peter Idogor, age 24yrs, and Emmanuel Sunday age 19yrs all of Evwreni Community in Ughelli South were arrested. These suspects were linked to the kidnap of the victim, and the victim has identified the two suspects. Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing as effort is being intensified to arrest the other fleeing gang members.”
Edafe said that in another development, on March 6, at about 11.30pm , “operatives of CP DECOY Squad while acting on credible intelligence about cultist activities, stormed one hotel (name withheld) by Federal College Junction, Asaba.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the cultists immediately took to their heels, dispersing towards different directions but were given a relentless chase by the operatives, during which four of the suspected cultists who were hiding inside the ceiling, were arrested.
The suspects, all male residents of Asaba, Delta State, include the following: Chigozie Edwin, a 28yrs native of Akpuoga village in Ujodo LGA of Enugu State; James Prince Chukwuebuka, a 20yrs native of Effiom Village in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State; Harmony Mkemjika Ohanebum, a 30yrs native of Okija town in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State; and Garba Jubril, a 27yrs native of Kogmbotō LGA, Kano State.
“Following the arrest of these suspects, a thorough search was conducted, and two Barretta pistols with two rounds of live ammunition, a locally made cut-to-size gun with one live cartridge were recovered from the ceiling. Manhunt for other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.”
Edafe said that in.the light of these achievements, the Police Commissioner, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda warned that engaging in any sort of criminal activities in Delta State has dire consequences, as he had unequivocally instructed officers of the command to spare no effort in bringing criminals to account for their actions.
He further stated that the command remained resolute in its commitment to protecting the lives and properties of all Deltans.
