•Recover arms, ammunition
Two suspects allegedly involved in the kidnap of a victim on October 31, 2023, have been arrested by police operatives in Delta State Command.
The suspects were identified as Peter Idogor, aged 24, and Emmanuel Sunday, a 19-year-old man, both from Evwreni Community in Ughelli South Area of the state.
The police spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, who spoke on the arrest on Tuesday, March 12, gave an insight into how the victim was kidnapped by the suspects until four months after when they were nabbed.
According to Edafe, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Orerokpe Police Station, CSP Paul Oboware, received a distress call at about 10:17pm,on the victim’s kidnap by three armed men.
He said that the kidnappers later contacted the man’s family, demanding N5 million as ransom.
“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO swiftly mobilised 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 had been on an intelligence-based investigation since the date of the incident.
“The effort of the Command paid off on March 5, 2024, at about 1700hrs (5pm), when, with the aid of a technically-generated intelligence-led investigation, two male suspects namely Peter Idogor, aged 24, and Emmanuel Sunday, 19 years old, both 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,” the PPRO stated.
He added that investigation was still ongoing as effort was being intensified to arrest other fleeing gang members.
In a similar vein, DSP Edafe disclosed the arrest of four suspected cultists by operatives of CP-Decoy Squad while acting on credible intelligence about their activities.
He gave the names of the suspects as Chigozie Edwin (28), James Prince Chukwuebuka (20), Harmony Mkemjika Ohanebum (30) and Garba Jubril (27).
The PPRO said: “On March 6, 2024 at about 11:30pm, the CP-Decoy Squad stormed one hotel (name withheld) by Federal College Junction, Asaba.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the cultists immediately took to their heels,going in different directions.
“However, they were given a chase by the operatives, during which four of the suspected cultists who were hiding inside the ceiling of a house were arrested.”
He stated further that after a thorough search was conducted, two Beretta pistols with two rounds of live ammunition, a locally-made cut-to-size gun and one live cartridge were recovered from the ceiling.
In his comment, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, warned that engaging in any sort of criminal activities in Delta State has dire consequences, as he had instructed officers of the command to spare no effort in bringing criminals to account for their actions.
He further stated that the command remains resolute in its commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Deltans.
