Police arrest three suspected kidnapers in Delta

The Delta State Police Command has successfully detained three kidnapping suspects and seized a variety of weapons, including five packs of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

During a press briefing in Warri on Monday, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, made this announcement.

Edafe explained that the arrest occurred on Friday when police operatives from the Orerokpe Division in Okpe Local Government Area took the suspects into custody.

The Divisional Police Officer, CSP Paul Oboware, led a team from the Divisional Anti-Crime Patrol to Ofuoma Community in Ughelli North to carry out the arrests.

He further detailed the background of the case, highlighting that a couple of months ago, the Command had arrested suspected kidnappers, including Ese-Oghene Ezekiel. This individual had orchestrated the abduction of his brother and several members of his household at Oha Community, Okpe Local Government Area, which resulted in the tragic shooting of Regina Ogana, his brother’s wife.

However, the Commissioner of Police in Delta, Wale Abass, had given CSP Oboware clear instructions to ensure that all other individuals involved in the crime were apprehended.

In line with this directive, the police arrested two male suspects connected to the incident. Subsequently, a search was conducted at their residences and hideout.

During the search, the law enforcement team apprehended another suspect, although several gang members fled upon detecting the police’s approach.

Recovered from the suspects’ possession were four AK-47 rifles, one pump-action shotgun, one locally made single-barrel cut-to-size pistol, 58 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition, 13 live cartridges, five packs of IEDs, six detonators, and eight empty magazines.

Edafe stated that the arrested individuals have admitted their involvement in the kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state. They are currently in police custody, assisting with ongoing investigations, while efforts are underway to track down the remaining gang members who escaped capture.