Orio Oghenevwegba/ Ebilabor Joy/ Wheze Peculiar, Warri

Delta Police Command has apprehended three kidnap suspects and recovered assorted weapons including five packs of
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)from them in the state.

This was disclosed by DSP Bright Edafe, Spokesman of the Command to Journalists in Warri on Monday, October 16, 2023.

Edafe said that the suspects were nabbed on Friday by the police operatives attached to the Orerokpe Division in Okpe Local Government Area (LGA) of the state

He said that CSP Paul Oboware, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division led a team of the Divisional Anti-Crime Patrol team to Ofuoma Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area to effect the arrest.

According to DSP Edafe, “recall that about two months ago, the Command arrested some suspected kidnappers, including one EseOghene Ezekiel.

“Who masterminded the kidnap of his brother and members of his household at Oha Community, Okpe Local Government Ares during which one Regina Ogana, the brother’s wife was shot dead.

“The initial success notwithstanding, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Delta Command, Wale Abass gave CSP. Oboware, the marching orders, to ensure every other persons involved in the crime was brought to book.

“Consequently, on Oct. 13, 2023,
after an exhaustive and painstaking investigation process, aided by technically generated intelligence, CSP Oboware mobilised and led men of the Divisional Anti-Crime Patrol team to Ofuoma, Ughelli North Local Government Area.

“Where two male suspects were arrested for their involvement in the incident. Consequently, upon their arrest, the team proceeded to conduct search at their premises and hideout”.

DSP Edafe further disclosed that upon searching criminals’ hideout, another suspect was apprehended adding that other members of the gang fled immediately they sighted the police team’s advancement.

He said that the following items:
four AK-47 rifles, one pump action, one locally made single barrel cut-to-size pistol, 58 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition were recovered.

Others were: 13 live cartridges, five packs of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), six detonators and eight empty magazines were also recovered from the suspects’ hideout.

DSP Edafe said that the suspects had confessed to their involvement in the crime and other kidnapping incidents in the state.

He said that the hoodlums were currently in police custody aiding investigation, adding that manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang was ongoing.