Delta State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has made another significant achievement in its commitment to rid the state of criminals, particularly kidnappers that have been terrorising some parts of the state.
According to a statement yesterday by police spokesman SP Bright Edafe, the police have arrested five suspected kidnappers and recovered N5million ransom from them.
Edafe said the Special Anti-kidnapping and Cybercrimes Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, tracked down suspected kidnappers operating in the state, stating that the suspects were found at their hideout in Ogwashi Ukwu, Oshimili North Local Government.
He said one of the arrested suspects, Sanusi Abdulahi, was apprehended in possession of a ransom of N5,000,000 (N5million), which was part of the funds collected from one of their kidnapping victims.
He said preliminary investigations linked the arrested suspects to multiple kidnappings in areas such as Ibusa, Ogwash-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti and Isele-Ukwu, among others.
The spokesman said the operation led to the identification of a recent kidnapping incident involving a young lady on July 9.
Edafe further said the suspect, Abdulahi, provided information that led to the arrest of four additional gang members at their hideouts in Asaba.
He said investigations into their criminal activities were ongoing.
He also said during a sting operation on armed gang on July 9, around 8:35am, the CP-Special Assignment Team conducted a raid along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway, specifically near the Unenurhei axis targeted at arresting Solomon Danisco (alias “Picolo”), Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin, and Whisky Rufus (alias “Asawana”).
SP Edafe said during the operation, the suspects, who were heavily armed, engaged the police in a gun battle.
He added that the confrontation resulted in serious injuries among the suspects, with six confirmed dead at the hospital and two currently receiving medical treatment.
The police recovered four locally-made guns and 19 live cartridges during the operation. This operation underscored the proactive measures being taken by the Delta State Police to address kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.
He contended that the ongoing investigations were crucial for dismantling criminal networks operating in the state and ensuring greater safety for residents.
