Delta State Police Neutralize Suspected Kidnapper, Arrest Cultists, and Recover Arms in Ongoing Crackdown
ASABA/Nigeria: In a determined effort to curb criminal activities across Delta State, the police have successfully neutralized a suspected kidnapper, arrested several members of a kidnapping syndicate, and apprehended suspected cultists, all while recovering a cache of firearms and ammunition.
SP Edafe Bright, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, confirmed the operations and assured residents that the police are dedicated to maintaining peace and security across the state.
The statement said that on August 12, 2024, at approximately 0430 hours, operatives from the CP Special Squad based in Ughelli engaged in an investigation with an earlier arrested suspected kidnapper, Joel Ochuko Ofoye. The suspect led the operatives to Ewu community in Ughelli South LGA, where they were on the trail of a gunrunner supplying arms to the gang before their kidnapping operations.
He said During the operation, the team was ambushed by Ofoye’s gang members in a bid to free him. However, the police overpowered the assailants, who fled with bullet wounds. Joel Ochuko was hit in the crossfire and later died at Ughelli General Hospital while receiving treatment. The police recovered a Beretta pistol with four rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with nine cartridges, and a locally fabricated revolver pump-action gun. A manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
Also, in a separate operation on August 11, 2024, police operatives acting on directives from the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, arrested three members of a kidnapping syndicate linked to the abduction of a 29-year-old victim in Kokori Community, Ethiope East LGA.
“The victim had been kidnapped on February 17, 2024, in Sapele Town, and a ransom of five million naira was transferred from his account to an unknown bank account by the kidnappers. Following his release, the victim provided crucial information that led the CP’s special squad, led by ASP Julius Robinson, to storm an apartment in Sapele” he said.
“The operatives arrested Sapiro, whose real name remains unknown, along with gang leader Tony Binitie, aka “BOBO,” and another gang member, Ejiro Ewuba. Also arrested was Ayuba Hussaini, who had received one million naira from the victim’s account and was linked to receiving valuables from various kidnapping syndicates.
The police recovered a Beretta pistol from the apartment, and all three suspects have confessed to the crime. Efforts to apprehend other gang members are ongoing.
Additionally, on August 5, 2024, police responded to a complaint from Ofuoma Division regarding suspected cultists who had gathered at Ovine Hotel in Afiesere and later moved to Ogbovwan Community, where they fired shots, shattering windows and doors, and killing a dog. Upon receiving the complaint, DPO Ofuoma Division, CSP Patrick Uebari, led a patrol team to the scene.
The suspects attempted to flee but were pursued and arrested by the police. Five suspects, all believed to be members of the Black Axe Confraternity, were taken into custody. The police recovered three locally made cut-to-size guns, a battle axe, twelve live cartridges, seven expended cartridges, eight phones, and two cross bags. The search for additional suspects continues.
CP Olufemi Abaniwonda has reiterated his warning that Delta State will not tolerate criminal activities. He assured the public that adequate police deployments have been made to ensure the arrest and prosecution of all criminal elements.
The CP also urged residents to trust and cooperate with the police, noting that the recent arrests were possible because the victim of the kidnapping had provided vital information that led to the capture of the suspects six months after the incident.
