Juliana Francis
The Delta State Police Command said it has arrested three suspected kidnappers
The State Police spokesman, Bright Edafe, who confirmed the arrest, said that the suspected were masked and at gunpoint kidnapped a woman.
He stated that following the complaint lodged by the child of the kidnapped victim, Delta Police immediately launched an investigation and embarked on a rescue mission.
Before Police swooped on the kidnappers, the victim’s distressed family members had already paid N2 million as ransom. The kidnappers, not satisfied with the N2 million, also collected jewelry valued at about N3,500,000 from the distraught family members.
The Delta State Police image manager, Edafe, speaking at length about the matter, explained: “On 19th of July 2023, a case of kidnapping was reported at Obiaruku Police Station, the distressed caller stated that on their way back from their shop at about 9:30 PM of the same date, three masked men armed with guns accosted them at the entrance of their house located at Obinoba in Nkwani LGA and kidnapped the mother.
“Sequel to this complaint, the Commissioner of Police CP Wale Abass detailed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Obiaruku Police Station to work in synergy with the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad (SAKCCS) to immediately launch a manhunt for the hoodlums and rescue the kidnapped victim.
“On 26th July, the kidnappers released the victim after collecting a ransom of N2 million and other jewelry worth about N3,500,000. Armed with relevant information, the command embarked on an intelligence-led investigation which paid off when on the 4th of August.
“The operatives arrested Kabi Kester, 43. The suspect when interrogated, confessed to being a member of the gang that kidnapped the woman. His confession led to the arrest of two other suspects namely Henry Owojero, 42, and Franca Okuzor, a self-acclaimed pastor and wife to the leader of the gang named Celestine Okuzor Nova, still at large, in whose house the victim was held captive for six days.
“They all confessed to their involvement in the kidnapped and named four others, Celestine Okuzor Nova, Uche, Chinedu Etudo, and Nweke as members of the gang. An intensive manhunt for the other gang members is ongoing.”
