The command which made this known in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Friday, said that the police squad also rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered several firearms and ammunition.
The Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, has said that its operatives of a special squad deployed by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abaniwonda Olufemi, have arrested six suspected kidnappers.
The command which made this known in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Friday, said that the police squad also rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered several firearms and ammunition.
The police spokesperson said that the squad, currently stationed in the Ughelli area of the state, through a high-density operation, “has so far successfully arrested six suspected kidnappers, recovered one pump action gun, three Barretta pistols, one revolver pistol, one locally made cut-to-size gun, and they have also rescued three kidnapped victims so far.
“On April 17, 2024 at about 2330hrs, while working on the credible intelligence received about a syndicate of armed robbers terrorizing Ughelli and its environs, ASP Julius Robinson led his team, in a sting operation, stormed Sapele Town and arrested the leader of one of the suspected syndicate known as Ibrahim Usman - a 35yrs male indigene of Abaji Town, Kogi State.
“At about 0530hrs of April 18, 2024, the suspect led the operatives to Itsekiri Road area of Sapele Town, where two of his gang members: Joseph Aondohbmba, 22 years of Gbeji Community in Logo Local Government Area, Benue State and Collins Ovo (alias “Gbegbes”), a 23 years male suspect from Adeji Community in Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State.”
According to Edafe, the gang leader, Ibrahim Usman, took the team to his residence at Itsekiri Road, before Macpherson Area of Sapele where a Barretta Pistol hidden under his mattress was recovered, adding that investigation is ongoing.
He further said that on Wednesday, the team led by ASP Julius Robinson, again stormed Ogorode Area of Sapele Town at about 0730hrs and arrested one 32-year-old Daniel Okete, a native of Jesse Community in Ethiope-West Local Government Area of the state, who resides in Sapele.
The police spokesperson said that “Upon search, a Barretta Pistol was recovered in his residence which he confessed that he bought from one Goodluck Sokutu ‘m’, also in custody, he confessed to being the third in command of Eiye Confraternity in Sapele Town.
“Also, on 25/4/2024 at about 1000hrs, while acting on the confessions from a gun runner already in custody viz Goodluck Sakuta ‘m’ operatives recovered a Barretta Pistol at an uncompleted building in Amukpe area of Sapele where it was hidden. Investigation is ongoing.
“Sequel to a case of kidnapping reported at the ‘A’ Division, Ughelli by the husband of a kidnapped victim (name withheld), who was abducted along Isoko Road Ughelli by unknown hoodlums demanding N2,500,000 as ransom for the victim's release.
“The Divisional Police Officer, CSP Sadiq immediately detailed ASP Julius Robinson to lead his team of operatives on special assignment. On 22/4/2024 at about 1430 hrs combined teams of police operatives and members of the vigilantes, while armed with technically generated intelligence stormed Eruemukohwarian Community in Ughellli North LGA of Delta State suspected to be the hoodlums' hideout.
“On sighting the teams, the hoodlums took to their heels, abandoning the victim who was rescued unhurt.
“Two of.the suspects: Edadfe Akporere ‘m’ 27 years of Eruemukohwarian Community in Ughellli North LGA of Delta State, and Igho Midiraya ‘m’ 34 years of Uvwianughe-Agharo in Ughellli North LGA of Delta were arrested after a hot chase by the police operatives.
“The suspects have been identified by the victim. Efforts have been intensified to arrest other fleeing gangs.
“CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commended the officers and team members for their relentless efforts in the fight against crime within the Ughelli - Sapele region.
“He further assured the public that these achievements, will, without doubt, send a clear message to perpetrators of crime that they will be caught, and mercilessly prosecuted with no fear or favour as provided by the laws of the land.”