Police operatives have continued to demystify the ranks of kidnappers in Delta State, following the arrest of seven suspects at the weekend. Seven assorted firearms, which include four AK-47 rifles, one pump action gun, a locally made gun, one locally fabricated Beretta pistol 58 rounds of 7.62MM ammunition, cartridges, five pack of improvised explosives devices (IEDs) and six non electric detonators were recovered from them. The suspects, identified as James Aboyo, 21, Solomon Gbolode and Blessing Deco, 22 were said to have been arrested at their hideouts at Ofuoma in Ughelli North LGA by the Anti – Crime Patrol Team of Oreorokpe Division led by the Divisional Police Officer CSP Paul Oboware on 13/10/2023, at about 2.23pm. The Delta State Police Command Spokesperson DSP Bright Edafe at a press conference addressed on behalf of the Commissioner of Police CP Wale Abass on Monday, said the arrest of the suspects was in connection with a kidnapping incident, which occurred about two months ago in which one Regina Ogana was killed. Edafe noted that the policing strategies emplaced by the Acting Inspector¬-General of Police Ag. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM is paying off handsomely in Delta State as the Command is experiencing a harvest of achievements. He disclosed that the suspects have confessed to the crime and other kidnapping incidents in the state, adding that they are assisting the police in its investigation, while manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing. ” Kidnapping being a crime of concern in the State has been dealt a huge blow through our swift policing interventions. It could be recalled that about two months ago, the Command arrested some suspected kidnappers, including one Ese–Oghene Ezekiel, who masterminded the kidnap of his brother (Name withheld) and members of his household at Oha community, Okpe LGA during which one Regina Ogana, the brother’s wife was shot dead. ” The initial success notwithstanding, the Commissioner of Police CP. Wale Abass gave the Divisional Police Officer, Oreorokpe Division, CSP. Paul Oboware, marching orders, to ensure every other persons involved in the crime was brought to book. ” Consequently, on 13/10/2023, at about 1423hrs, after an exhaustive and painstaking investigation process, aided by technically generated intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer, Oreorokpe, mobilized and personally led men of the Divisional Anti-Crime Patrol team, stormed Ofuoma in Ughelli North LGA, where two male suspects namely, James Aboyo ‘m’ aged 21 and Solomon Gbolode ‘m’ were arrested for their involvement in the incident. Consequently, upon their arrest, the team proceeded to conduct search at the premises and hideout. ” Upon reaching their hideout, one Blessing Deco ‘m’ aged 22 was arrested while other gang members who apparently sighted the approaching police team, took to their heels. When the house was searched, the following items were recovered: i. Four (4) AK 47 Riflesii. One (1) Pump Actioniii. One (1) locally made single Barrel Cut-to-size Pistoliv. Fifty-Eight (58) Rounds of 7.62 Live Ammunitionsv. Thirteen (13) Live Cartridgesvi. Five (5) Packs of Improvised Explosive devicesvii. Six (6) Detonators, andviii. Eight (8) Empty Magazines. ” The suspects who confessed to their involvement in the crime and other kidnapping incidents in the state, are presently in custody, assisting police investigation while manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing. Edafe reiterated that the war against kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices has been reinvigorated in the State, as the Commissioner of Police is resolute on making the state a hostile ground for all persons of questionable characters. The Command however called on all residents to be involved in the efforts by volunteering useful information to aid the Command’s operation. He said the Commissioner of Police Wale Abass has also extended his commendation to the officers behind arrest, urging them to sustain the tempo while admonishing other officers to emulate them.
