By Salim Yunusa
The Delta State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the State, arrested eight suspected cultists and two ATM thieves in other parts of the State.
This was contained in a statement by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Bright Edafe, who said said; “sequel to intelligence gathered over a period of time that suspected kidnappers do come through the river waterways with speed boat, kidnap victims and go back through the river, the Commissioner of Police Delta state, CP Ari Muhammed Ali directed that proactive measures be put in place to put an end to the nefarious activities of these suspects.
“On the 23rd of May, 2021 at about 2030hrs, when the suspected kidnappers came with a speed boat as usual with the intention of causing mayhem and kidnapping unsuspecting victims, officers and men of Oghara Division in conjunction with a local vigilante who had already put proactive measures in place were on ground strategically positioned.
The Police Operatives resisted fervently, engaged them in a gun duel. The suspected kidnappers who could not withstand the firepower of the police jump into the river and escaped with possible bullet injuries. One pump action gun with a live cartridge was recovered. A serious effort to arrest and bring the fleeing suspects to book is ongoing.
“On 22/5/2021 at about 0016hrs, Men of ‘B’ Division Warri patrol team in conjunction with vigilante while on Aberdeen systematic patrol around Ogboro Street Warri, sighted three boys with a Baco bag. The boys on sighting the police ran in different directions, the policemen highlighted and gave them a hot chase.
One Ufuoma Ekpete ‘m’ 21yrs was arrested, when the search was conducted on him, a locally made barrel gun and one live cartridge was recovered. The suspect Ufuoma Ekpete led the police to arrest one Godday Ayamah ‘m’ who allegedly gave the suspect the said gun.
“He also led the police to their hideout, a dilapidated building along Arubaye Street where the other two suspects one Ebimo Richard ‘m’ and Emeka Okoye ‘m’ who earlier escaped, were arrested. The exhibit recovered includes one cutlass, one locally made barrel gun. Suspects confessed to being members of Senior and Junior Eye cult groups. The investigation is ongoing.
