Delta Police Recover Vehicle Used in Sapele Council Chairman’s Kidnapping at Ogorode Waterside, Intensify Manhunt

The Delta State Police Command has recovered the Range Rover SUV vehicle reportedly used by gunmen in the abduction of the chairman of Sapele local government area, Hon. Bright Abeke, last week Friday.

The vehicle reportedly used for the operation was abandoned at Ogorode Waterside, suggesting that the gunmen escaped through the river with the victim after his abduction at Debro Fred Guest House located at Owumi Road in Sapele.

Abeke was abducted by gunmen who invaded his hotel around 7:25 pm, shot his security detail and a vigilante member identified as Ufuoma before he was seized and whisked away to unknown destination.

The council chairman whereabouts remained unknown since then but the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, in a bid to unraval the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping personally conducted a comprehensive operational visit to Sapele, reinforcing the Command’s determination to secure his safe and unharmed release.

The State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Bright Edafe, in a statement, on Sunday, said that the visit formed part of a coordinated response to the incident as the CP personally assessed critical locations connected to the crime.

He said that the CP, upon arrival inspected Debro Fred Guest House, where the abduction occurred, to obtain first-hand situational clarity.

CP Oyeniyi also visited Ogorode Waterside, where the vehicle reportedly used in the operation was recovered, providing further direction for intelligence exploitation and forensic follow-up.

Edafe said that in a solemn engagement, the CP visited the wife of the abducted LGA Chairman, conveying empathy and assuring the family that the command is doing everything necessary to ensure his safe return.

He also visited the hospitals where some of the injured victims during the attack were receiving treatment.

The CP emphasised that the command, in synergy with other security agencies, has deployed adequate resources and is working on credible information to track down the perpetrators and rescue the victim unhurt.

He urged residents of Sapele and the wider Delta State community to remain vigilant and cooperate with police by providing credible and timely information. He stressed that public support remains vital to the success of ongoing operations.

The Delta State Police Command reassured the public of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and will continue to take decisive steps to bring the perpetrators to justice.