Police Haul 52 Suspects Into Detention In Delta, Recover Arms and Ammunition

…Rescue three kidnapped victims, recover N5.5 million

The Delta State Police Command has, arrested 52 suspects, including 34 suspected kidnappers, 12 cultists, 2 fraudsters, and 4 gunrunners, in a major sting operation across Warri, Sapele, and Ughelli.

The operation, which took place between September and October, yielded a cache of arms and ammunition, including seven AK-47 rifles, one AK-49, one G3, six pump actions, nine locally made guns, and 53 ammunition, as well as seven cutlasses.

It was learnt that the police also recovered N5.5 million from suspected kidnappers, and three kidnapped victims were rescued.

Parading the suspects at Ughelli, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said that that breakthrough followed the
strategic deployment of personnel, effective collaboration with DPOs as well as proactive intelligence gathering mechanism deployed by the Police Commissioner, Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda, in combating crime in Ughelli, Warri, Sapele, and environs.

He said that since assumption of duty on February 1, 2024, CP Abaniwonda has tackled kidnapping and armed robbery head-on.

Edafe said that as the 22nd Commissioner of Police in the state, the CP on assumption of duty, met the challenge of kidnapping and armed robbery in Ughelli, Warri, Sapele and environs.

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.

“It’s an obvious fact that this master stroke by the CP has been paying off as you can see today”, he added.

Giving a graphic details of the arrest, Edafe said that a kidnapping syndicate comprises of Bakpor Isaiah, 34, Victor, 31, Ogheneochukwu Emmanuel, 47, and Godspower Clifford, 19, were arrested on September 12, 2024, through a sting operation in Sapele town.

He said that the suspects who are members of viking confraternity, are responsible for series of kidnappings/armed robbery along the Warri Sapele Road. Among items recovered from them is one AK-47 Rifle and a Toyota Seinna with Reg no. BDG-645-JN which is their operation vehicle.

He, also said that Oghenetega, 33, a viking confraternity member was picked up on September 17, 2024, after operatives stormed his residence in Ogorode, Sapele. 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.

Ojoko Ijoyoto, 29, (aka Pikolo), a murder suspect was apprehended on September 25, 2024, after operatives trailed and stormed his residence in Mosogar. Upon search of his residence, one AK-47 rifle loaded with six rounds of life ammunition was recovered.

He said that the suspect who has been in the command watch list for over three years, was allegedly involved in the reported case of the murder of the vice youth chairman of Mosogar town, and the murder of a policeman along Warri Sapele road.

According to Edafe, a suspected cultist and armed robbery suspect, Tunde Akingbenomo, 32, was arrested on October 5, 2024, at his residence in Ogharaefe, Ethiope east LGA. During search of his residence, one locally made gun was recovered and two fabricated automatic Beretta pistol were also recovered from an uncompleted building.

He said that Timothy Ochuko, 42, a suspected kidnapper/fraudster, was also arrested on October 5, 2024, after an intelligence-led investigation revealed his involvement in kidnapping.

According to Edafe, following the suspect confessionary statement, the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) was recovered from his account which was part of his share of one million one hundred thousand naira ( N1,100, 000) from the four million naira (N4, 000, 000) collected as ransom from a victim named (name withheld).

The victim was kidnapped on September 29, 2024 in Ughelli town and they forcefully withdraw the amount 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.

In the same vein, SP Edafe disclosed that the operatives of the CP-Special Assignment team acting on intelligence, on September 18, also raised a hideout of suspected kidnappers in Ogor forest.

According to him, on getting to the hideout, the hoodlums engaged the policemen in a fierce gun duel during which two of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries while the other escaped.

The suspects who were taken to the hospital, were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty on arrival. One Pump action gun, one locally made cut-to-size gun, and nine rounds of live cartridges were recovered.

He said that manhunt have been intensified to arrest all other fleeing suspects in the various operations.