The Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command has rescued six kidnapped victims including a 17 years old boy, who faked his kidnap, and arrested 17 other suspects for various crimes.
Some of the offences included; murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta, CP Abaniwonda Surajudeen Olufemi, disclosed this on Thursday April 11th 2024 at a press conference in Asaba, the State capital.
Olufemi, who assumed duty recently said that one of the rescued victims, whose identity was not disclosed, a 17-year-old male, in Okhumera quarters, Agbor-obi, Ika south local government area of the State, who arranged his kidnap and demanded for N1 million was arrested by operatives of the command.
“On the 20/3/2024, at about 1600hours, the DPO Agbor Division received complaint on the suspected kidnap of a 17year old boy (name withheld) in Okhumera qtrs. Agbor-obi.
“The suspect forwarded a voice note to his sister stating that he has been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding for N1 million.
“The DPO swung into action, acting on a technically generated intelligence, and arrested three suspects. Investigation revealed that the 17 year old connived with his friends and faked his own kidnap.
“Before they were arrested, they had already collected a ransom of seven hundred thousand naira (#700,000) and have squandered the money. Investigation is ongoing.
“On 8/4/2024, the operatives on the special assignment working on credible intelligence stormed one of the hotels in Udu LGA and arrested a notorious kidnapper.
“Upon his arrest suspect gave useful information that led to the recovery of One Pump action gun loaded with four live cartridges, one Beretta pistol and three rounds of 9mm ammunition.
“On the 6/4/2024, at about 1715 hours, operatives of Eagle-Net Special squad while on routine patrol along Asaba-Agbor expressway Isele-Asagba, flagged down a white Toyota Hiace Bus driven by one Sunday Eze ‘m’ aged 53yrs, the bus and the driver were subjected to a search during which Three Hundred and Seventy-Five bottles of CSP codeine, Forty-Four bottles of CSC codeine, One Hundred and Twenty sachets of tramadol, and thirty-three sachets of Swinol were recovered from him. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
“On the 10/4/2024, at about 1630hours, acting on credible information that Eiye confraternity cult group were holding a meeting in one guest house at Owanta-Alisin in Ika North East LGA, operatives of Raiders squad stormed the hideout, on sighting the Police team, the suspected cultists took to their heels and escaped.
“When the premises was searched, one Beretta pistol, cult regalia, one life ammunition. Effort to arrest the fleeing suspect is ongoing.
“On 10/4/2024, at about 0330hrs, acting on credible information received that armed robbers were operating around Urhoaka community in Abraka, a team of Police officers and vigilante were deployed to the scene.
“The team laid an ambushed and arrested one Ogwu Endurance ‘m’ and two single barrel cut-to-size guns were recovered from him. Preliminary information revealed that the suspect has been involved in series of kidnapping in Abraka axis, the suspect during one of his armed robbery raped his victim a 23 year old girl, stressing that effort to arrest his other gang members is ongoing.
“On 5/4/2024 at about 1815 hours, operatives of Eagle-Net Special squad while on stop and search duty intercepted one white colored Sienna vehicle conveying five passengers including the driver. While the search was going on, the driver took to his heels and escaped.
“Upon thorough search of the vehicle, one hundred and twenty-five live cartridges concealed in a carton were recovered.
“The vehicle and the exhibit in custody while manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing”.
He noted that on the 5th April 2024, one Ngozi Sharon William went to visit a family friend, one Mr Nicholas Charles ‘m’ and his wife at No.10 Adizue Onochei Street Asaba.
He said while the said Ngozi was in the apartment, a disagreement ensued between herself and the said Nicholas, which took them to the kitchen.
During the course of the disagreement, the suspect Mr Nicholas picked a knife on the fridge and stabbed the victim which led to her death, adding that the suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
Similarly on 04/04/2024, acting on a credible intelligence gathered on a cult rivalry in Ogwashi-Uku, he directed that the operatives of Raiders Squad to work meticulously on the gathered intelligence.
The operatives raided one hotel in Issele – Azagba; where a 29 years old male suspect, Joseph Jonathan, a native of Ika North-East was arrested. Immediately, a search was conducted in his premises, and the following were exhibits were recovered: one (01) Locally Made Cut-to-Size Double Barrel gun loaded with three (03) live cartages, and one (01) charm designed cowries.
In same vein, “On 03/03/2024 at about 0255hrs, while working on a distress call, the DELTA HAWK team collaborating with the Okpanam Divisional Police patrol team, proceeded to Marble Hill Junction in response to a distress call about an armed robbery operation around Play Learn Academy School area.
“The officers mounted a surveillance within the scene of the robbery, upon sighting the Policemen, the armed robbers opened fire on the team which the team responded. During the ensuing gun duel, one of the suspected armed robbers sustained gunshot injuries, and was later confirmed dead at the hospital.
“One English Pump Action and One cut-to-size single barrel gun with three live cartridges were recovered. Effort to arrest the other fleeing suspect is ongoing
“On 29/3/2024 at about 0700hours, the DPO Ozoro Division received report on a suspected murder of one Jessica Uzowanne ‘f’ aged 19yrs.
“Investigation revealed the suspect was stabbed to death by her boyfriend one Raphael Egbo ‘m’ aged 20yrs over a disagreement. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
“On 01/04/2024 at about 0900hrs, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) while on routine patrol along Asaba/Benin Expressway encountered a group of six armed suspects.
“On sighting the operatives these suspects in a bid to escape had a gunshot battle with the police operatives, during which two of suspects were arrested with serious gunshot injuries.
“They were immediately taken to the hospital where they gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. One locally made cut to size double barrel gun loaded with two live cartridges and a battle axe was recovered, stressing that effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects.
“Sequel to the series of complaints from residence on the activities of some hoodlums who operates with tricycle in the guise of being tricycle riders, rob their unsuspecting passengers of their phones and withdraw money from their bank account, I directed the DPOs in the metro to up their game and arrest those responsible.
“Consequently, on 25/3/2024, two suspects namely Collins Akpinoba ‘m’ age 27yrs and David Paulson ‘m’ age 38yrs were arrested.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that one of the suspect drives the tricycle whole the other pretend to be a passenger. Over ten witnesses have so far identified them.
“On 27th March 2024, Anti-crime patrol team from Agbor Division while on stop and search duty along Ekuku-Agbor road intercepted one John Chikwuji ‘m’ aged 25yrs, the suspect was subjected to a search during which one Beretta Pistol was recovered from him. Investigation is ongoing.
“On 25/3/2024 at about 2030hours, while an indigene of Egbudu-Akah, Aniocha south LGA was hunting, he sighted some suspected kidnappers dragging three girls into the bush, he immediately ran to Nsukwa Division and reported to the DPO.
“On receipt of this information, I immediately directed the DPO to mobilize policemen alongside the local vigilantes and to go after the kidnappers.
“Upon closing in on them, the kidnappers, abandoned the kidnapped victims and fled while firing at the policemen. One of the suspected kidnapper was arrested and the three girls of the same parent were rescued.
“Sequel to a kidnapping incident that occurred on 31/10/2023 in Orerokpe where the victim was later released after ransom was paid.
“Armed with available information, the Command embarked on an intelligence based investigation since the date of the incidence which 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 has commenced and effort to arrest the other fleeing suspects is ongoing”
He told journalists that he has directed all DPOs to sustain raids of identified black spots, and drug dealers in their area of responsibility, embark on visibility patrol/stop and search duty, and ensure that crime and criminality does not thrive in their Area.
While assuring Delta residents of adequate security, “I am appealing to members of the public particularly Deltans to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality by providing us with credible information to enable us serve you better. Let us be guided by the principle of “ if you see something, say something”.
“For any distress situation that bothers on security, kindly report at the nearest police station, or the command headquarters through the Control room numbers on 08036684974, 08125958005, and 09053872287“, he said.
