From Joseph Obukata, Warri
The Delta State Police Command has cracked down on a gang of four suspected kidnappers, killing one and arresting three others.
The operation, led by ASP Julius Robinson, was carried out on July 1 and 4, 2024, in response to the kidnapping and murder of a male victim in Ughelli on May 17, 2024.
The police, during the operation recovered one AK-49 rifle from the suspects’ hideout and are currently investigating the matter.
State Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed this in a statement on Saturday, attributed the successful operation to the new policing strategies implemented by the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwona Olufemi, which include the deployment of a special operations team to Ughelli.
He said that “acting on credible intelligence gathered over a period and an indebt technical intelligence related to the kidnapping of one male victim (name withheld) kidnapped on May 17, 2024, at his resident in Adjakota area in Ughelli South LGA, and later murdered by the kidnappers, the operatives on special assignment swung into action and tracked the deadly kidnapping syndicate responsible for the act on 01/07/2024 at about 12:00hrs.
“Following this, one Ismaila Umaru , 28 of Kekura village in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State who resides in Oghara town by Power Line, Delta State, was apprehended.”
Edafe said that on Thursday July 4, the suspect led operatives to the arrest of two other gang members namely Chede Mohammed, an18-year-old native of Nasarawa State who resides in Agwara in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State.
“One Mohammadu Sani, a 26-year-old native of Banbiru area of Abuja but resident at Upper Agbarho Area of Ughelli North, was also arrested.
“Following the confession of the suspects, the police on Friday July 5, 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 was recovered in the hideout, and investigation is ongoing,” Edafe added.