Juliana Francis
The Delta State Police Command has been celebrating harvests of arrest, rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of deadly weapons, and a N5.5m ransom.
A summary showed that the Command recovered, seven AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, One G3 rifle, six pump action rifles, nine LMG guns, 16 Barreta Postols, 35 cartridges, 53 ammunition, seven machetes.
The Command recovered N5.5m ransom and rescued three kidnapped victims.
The Command said that at least 52 suspects were arrested. The breakdown is as follows; 34 suspected kidnappers, 12 cultist members, two suspected fraudsters and four gunrunners.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bright Edafe, attributed the achievements to the changes made by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda after he assumed duty on the 1st of February as the 22nd CP in the State.
According to the image manager, when Abaniwonda took over as the CP, he quickly noticed the security challenges bedevilling the State, and standing out among the several crimes were kidnapping and robbery.
Edafe said: “The CP in his wisdom deployed a special team to Ughelli headed by ASP Julius Robinson with a clear mandate to partner with the DPOs in these areas and ensure that people start sleeping with their two eyes closed.”
The PPRO also disclosed that most of the achievements were recorded by the CP’s Special Assignment team (CP-SAT).
He explained: “The Command arrested suspected kidnappers, and armed robbers and recovered an AK44 rifle in an operation. Acting on intelligence gathered on the activities of a kidnapping syndicate terrorising Sapele – Warri Road and its environs on 12th September 2024, operatives of CP – Special Assignment Team in a sting operation at various points of Sapele town effected the arrest of four suspects.
“They are Bakpor Isaiah, 34, Victor, 31, Ogheneochukwu Emmanuel, 47, and Godspower Clifford,19, all members of Vikings Confraternity.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects are responsible for a series of kidnappings and armed robbery along the Warri Sapele Road. One AK-47 Rifle and a Toyota Seinna with Reg no. BDG-645-JN which is their operation vehicle.”
In another development, the Command neutralised a suspected kidnapper and recovered one pump action, one cut-to-size gun, and nine rounds of live cartridges.
Edafe explained that on the 18th of September 2024, at about 3:40 pm, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment team acting on intelligence identified a hideout of suspected kidnappers in Ogor Forest.
“On getting to the hideout, the hoodlums engaged them in a fierce gun duel during which two of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries while the other escaped. The suspects were taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. One Pump action gun, one locally made cut-to-size gun, and nine rounds of live cartridges were recovered. Manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing,” said the PPRO.
In another operation, the Command arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered ransom money and one English-made Baretta Pistol.
Edafe explained that the arrest was a sequel to a case of suspected fraudster Timothy Ochuko, 42, who was arrested and handed over to the CP Special Assignment team on the 5th of October, 2024.
He said: “Operatives of CP SAT led by the command ASP Julius Robinson embarked on an intelligence-led investigation which revealed the suspect is also into kidnapping.
“Consequently, on the 7th of October, 2024 at about 4:35 pm, acting on the suspect statement, the sum of N500,000, was recovered from the suspect’s account which as part of his share of N1,100,000, from the N4,000, 000, collected as ransom from a victim named (name withheld) whom they kidnapped on 25th of September 2024 in Ughelli town and forcefully withdraw the amount above from her FCMB Bank account before releasing her.
“He led the operatives to the house of his gang member where the suspects on sighting the police took to heels, and one Berretta pistol was recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”
Similarly, the Police arrested an alleged notorious kidnapper, who is also believed to be an armed robber. The police recovered an AK47 rifle, one G3 Rifle and a fabricated long gun.
Recalling the events leading to the arrest and recoveries, Edafe said an intensive follow-up on the cases of kidnapping and armed robbery reported along the Warri-Sapele axis, on the 17th of September 2024, at about 2:pm
“Operatives of CP-SAT acting on intelligence stormed Ogorode in Sapele town and arrested Oghenetega, 33, who is also a member of Viking Confraternity. Upon search of his residence, one AK-47 rifle, one G-3 Rifle and a fabricated long gun using a Beretta pistol magazine were recovered. The suspect is in custody and the investigation is ongoing.”
The Delta Police arrested a suspected kidnapper, also accused of murder and recovered an AK-47 Rifle.
Speaking about the case, Edafe said: “Acting on a reported case of the murder of the vice youth chairman of Mosogar town, the murder of a policeman along Warri Sapele road. Intelligence revealed that the suspect who carried out the dastardly act has been on the command watch list for over three years.
“On 25th of September 2024, at about 2:30 am, operatives of CP SAT led by the command ASP Julius Robinson trailed and stormed the residence of the suspect Ojoko Ijoyoto A.K.A Pikolo, 29, of Morsogar in Ethiope West Local Government Area and upon search of his residence, one AK-47 rifle loaded with six rounds of life ammunition was recovered.
“Also, on 5th October 2024, at about 2:5pm, operatives of CP-SAT arrested a suspect identified as Tunde Akingbenomo, 32, at his residence in Ogharaefe Ethiope East Local Government Area.
“During the search of his residence, one locally made gun was recovered. The suspect then led the operatives to an uncompleted building where two fabricated automatic Beretta pistols. The investigation is ongoing.”
