Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have successfully neutralized a suspected kidnapper, apprehended other criminal suspects, and recovered firearms across various parts of the state.
The suspected kidnapper, identified as Joel Ochuko Ofoye, was fatally wounded during a shootout between police officers and his gang members, who attempted to free him from police custody on Monday.
The incident occurred at Ewu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, S.P Bright Edafe, Ochuko Ofoye had previously been arrested and was under investigation when his gang attempted the rescue.
While his accomplices managed to escape with injuries, the police recovered a Beretta Pistol with four rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with nine cartridges, and a locally fabricated revolver from the scene.
In a separate operation, police operatives arrested four suspected kidnappers involved in the abduction of a 29-year-old resident of Kokori Community, whose identity was withheld. The suspects reportedly extorted N5 million from the victim’s account.
After his release, the victim reported the crime to the police, leading to a raid on the residence of one of the suspects, identified as Sapiro (name changed). A Beretta Pistol was recovered, and three additional suspects—Tony Binitie, Ejiro Ewuba, and Ayuba Hussaini—were arrested.
All four suspects played key roles in the abduction and theft of the victim’s valuables. In another development, the Ufuoma Police Division arrested five suspected members of the Black Axe Confraternity on Tuesday, August 5, 2024.
The cultists had reportedly caused chaos in Ogbovwan Community, firing shots indiscriminately, killing a dog chained to a house, and damaging property, including doors and windows.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, reacted to the arrests by issuing a stern warning to criminal elements in the state. He emphasized that such individuals would not be allowed to operate freely, assuring residents that security forces have been adequately deployed to identify, apprehend, and prosecute offenders.
