Police Arrest 3 Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Guns, Cartridges

By Stephen Asaba-ase

The Delta State police Commissioner Mr Abaniwonda Olufemi has cautioned youths to shun all forms of criminality, cultism, and abuse of drugs. He reassured the public that the police would diligently and relentlessly pursue those who bent on disturbing the collective peace of the state.

According to a press statement issued and signed by the ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD, Police Public relations Officer, SP. Edafe Bright, Delta State Command Asaba on 6th May 2024, said the Delta State police Intelligence had arrested three notorious kidnappers in the Warri axis and the suspects revealed that one Yakubu Ya’u, a 20yrs old suspect who resided in Kaduna, but always comes to Oha and Ughwagba Communities in Okpe LGA, to kidnap unsuspecting residents for ransom.

The statement reads, “The combined effort of the Command operatives and the Intelligence Unit in Abuja immediately swift into action when the suspect hideout disclosed, the DPO of Orerokpe, CSP Paul Oboware mobilised and led his patrol teams to his hideout in Warri and arrested Yakubu Ya’u after a regorous search of the entire area.

Meanwhile, a Preliminary investigation and interrogation of the Yakubu Ya’u that had led to the arrest of two other key gang members, one Mr Musa Yakubu ‘m’ age 25yrs from Kogi State and Abdulahi Mohammed ‘m’ age 38yrs from Cameroon which are allegedly responsible for several kidnapping incidents in Orerokpe, Sapele, Warri, and environs. The victims have equally identified the suspects.

However, the suspected kidnappers led the detectives of the Orerokpe Division to Ughwagba Community in Okpe LGA to recover 2 Automatic Pump Action Guns, One Live Cartridge, and one knife that was hidden and buried in the bush. Preliminary investigations are still ongoing, and efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the gangs are on top gear.

“The Nigerian police force while acting on a report registered at Ozoro police division, the police operatives also arrested one Mr Michael Udo (m) aged 20yrs, during investigation, a search warrant was executed in his premises and a Locally Made Revolver Gun and Two live Cartridges were recovered in his house. Investigation is ongoing.

“The DPO of Obiaruku Division also received a distress caller that he was being bullied and forced into a cult initiation. On the strength of the complaint, the DPO mobilized police operatives and arrested the suspect who is identified as Chinedu Okolo ‘m’ aged 31yrs of Ezhionum Community. One Locally Made Double Barrel Pistol and the handset was forcefully taken from the victim were Also recovered from them. Efforts are in progress to apprehend other fleeing suspects”, he added.