Suspended Two-time Councillor Arrested In Delta Over Plot To Kidnap LG Chairman’s Associate

A two-time councillor in Emu-Uno Kwale, has been arrested by the police over alleged plot to kidnap a political associate of the chairman of his local council.

The embattled councillor was said to have reportedly planned to kidnap a prominent Abbi community member before the police swooped on him.

State Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe who confirmed this in a statement on Sunday, said that the Councillor wants to extort ransom from the local government.

He disclosed that the suspect was apprehended on October 21, 2024 by Operatives of Abbj police division and Kwale division following credible intelligence received by the DPO Abbi division, CSP Florence Onum.

Edafe said that one Hon. Ndubisi Okechhukwu, a two-time councilor had confessed to the crime.

He said that the suspect who is currently in police custody claimed that he was suspended from being a counselor.

“He further stated that he wanted to kidnap the said woman so that the local government would pay the ransom since he knew the woman was close to the Local government chairman”, Edafe said.

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In a related development, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team on October 25, 2024, trailed a suspected kidnapper, Philip Onoghosa, leader of a kidnapping syndicate terrorizing Sapele-Warri Road.

According to the police, the suspect who was at Amukpe Roundabout buying illicit drugs in accompany of a lady took to his heels on sighting the operatives and abandoned a black Toyota Corolla with registration number SKL 330 AE.

Upon search of the vehicle, a Beretta pistol loaded with two live ammunition was recovered beneath the driver’s seat.

Additionally, Edafe said that on October 22, 2024, the Safer Highway Patrol Team recovered a stolen Toyota RAV 4 SUV with registration number KUJ-311-MB.

The patrol team deployed to Sapele while conducting an intensive stop and search along Mosogar Benin Road had flagged down the vehicle but he driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush.

“The driver before getting to the check point maneuvered the vehicle and sped off. The police operatives immediately went after him. The suspect on noticing that the policemen were closing in on him abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush.

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“The vehicle was recovered and upon search of the vehicle, the vehicle particulars bearing the name and contact of the owner were found. The owner was immediately contacted and stated that the vehicle was stolen from his compound in Kogi State. Two metal master keys and fourteen different Toyota vehicle keys were recovered. Investigation and efforts to arrest the suspect are ongoing”, the police image maker said.

Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, reiterated the command’s commitment to reducing crime, enabling residents to feel safe.

He warned of potential increased in crime during the Ember month period and assured of intensified patrols, as well as raids on criminal hideouts and black spots.

He said that the command’s efforts have led to a drastic reduction in kidnapping and armed robbery cases, urging the public to provide useful information to aid in the fight against crime and criminality.