By Emeka Okafor
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have nabbed three suspected kidnappers alleged to be behind recent kidnapping activities in the city of Ughelli and its environs.
The suspects, who are members of a four-man gang of kidnappers, were apprehended with an AK-49 rifle and ammunitions used by the hoodlums to terrorised residents of Ughelli.
However, one of the kidnappers was shot dead during exchange of gun shots with the alleged criminal elements.
The spokesman of the State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
Edafe explained that the success of the arrest followed the recent rejigging of the security architecture in Ughelli by the State Commissioner of Police, Abaniwona Olufemi.
The statement praised the gallant display of the police team headed by ASP Julius Robisnson which led to the arrest of the suspected kidnappers.
According to the statement, ““This proactive measure taken by the CP has been paying off and is still paying off as the special team has again cracked than a gang of four suspected kidnappers in Ughelli.
“Acting on credible intelligence gathered over a period and an in-depth technical intelligence related to the kidnapping of one male victim (name withheld) kidnapped on 17th May 2024 at his resident in Adjakota area In Ughelli South LGA of Delta State and later murdered by the kidnappers, the operatives on special assignment led by ASP Julius Robinson cracked down the deadly kidnapping syndicate responsible for the act on 01/07/2024 at about 1200hrs and arrested one Ismaila Umaru 28yrs ‘m’ of Kekura Village In Awe LGA of Nasarawa State but resident at Oghara town by Power Line, Delta State.
“On 04/07/2024 at about 2030hrs the suspect led operatives to the arrest of two (2) other gang members namely Chede Mohammed ‘m’ 18yrs, a native of Nasarawa State, but resident of Agwara in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State and Mohammadu Sani ‘m’ 26yrs a native of Banbiru area of Abuja but resident at Upper Agbarho Area of Ughelli North.
“Acting on their confession at about 0530hrs of 05/07/2024, the operatives stormed the bush by Oviri-ogor where the operatives encountered an attack from other gang members where one of the suspect hiding in the bush sustained serious gunshot injuries and was taken to the hospital where he died while receiving treatment.
“One AK 49 rifle recovered in the hideout and investigation is ongoing.”
