The Delta State Police Command has busted a six- man kidnap gang and arrested members of the gang .
Also in the police net are some suspected armed robbers who have been terrorising the state .
Delta State Police Publlic Relations Officer PPRO DSP Bright Edafe who gave a breakdown of how the suspects were arrested,said, “On May 15, a victim (name withheld) of kidnapping/armed robbery reported at Ovwian Aladja Police station that he was intercepted by some suspected kidnappers who abducted him and his wife and put them in the trunk of their car; drove them to an unknown destination, where they emptied his bank account through bank transfer before releasing them.
“The DPO discovered that a similar case was also reported on April 7, 2023 by another victim, and coincidentally, the modus operandi of the suspects are the same. The DPO Ovwian Aladja division CSP Aliyu Shaba, detailed detectives to carry out a discreet and intelligence led investigation and ensure that the suspects were arrested and brought to book.
” On May 20, following a series of intelligence led investigations, the detectives arrested a POS operator (name withheld) whose account these hoodlums always transfer money from their victims account. The POS operator who claimed ignorance of the antecedents of these suspects cooperated and availed the police with credible information that led to the arrest of the gang leader, Adim Lucky Onweiyali, 33, on June 1. The suspect led the police to the houses of other gang members and also to the house of one Akporido Stanley, 56, the gang armourer . One locally made gun, and three live cartridges were recovered. The suspects are in custody, and investigation is ongoing”.
In another , Edafe said that while police operatives attached to Ekpan Police station were on stop and search duty, they intercepted a tricycle carrying four occupants,but one of the passengers jumped and escaped, when the tricycle was searched, one locally made cut-to-size gun and four live cartridges were recovered.
“His other two accomplices: Ogheneovo Abdnego, 17, Chidi Okpanachi, 31, were arrested, though they claimed the gun belong to their friend who escaped. Investigation is ongoing.
“On June 2, the DPO Ozoro police division received a distress call from a victim whose motorcycle was stolen some time ago that he sighted his motorcycle at a filling station in Ozoro. Operatives were quickly mobilized, and they arrested the duo of Chibuike Ochula,30,and Izuchi Uzochi, 20, and the motorcycle recovered. The suspects later led the police operatives to Kwale, where three other stolen motorcycles were recovered. The suspects are in custody, and investigation is ongoing”
However, Commissioner of Police Mr. Wale Abass has commended the officers and men of the command for their resolute in crime fighting , and encouraged residents of the state to trust the police and report any suspicious happening around them.
