The police in Delta State on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a menacing gang of eight members believed to be terrorising Oghara, Sapele, Warri and environs in the state.

The gang who operated with a tricycle had kidnapped a 43-year old woman (names withheld) who they released after the payment of N2 million ransom.

They were plotting another kidnap escapade when operatives swoop on them.

Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Asaba.

Edafe said upon the receipt of the information about the kidnap and release of the 43-year old victim, the command detailed operatives of CP – DECOY Squad, with a directive to utilise all technically generated intelligence to get the perpetrators.

He said the team, assisted by the DPO of Sapele division, embarked on a sting operation leading to the arrest of the syndicate’s gang leader, 41-year old Morrison Godwin at Amukpe.

Edafe said the suspect who hails from Okpara Waterside in Ethiope East Local Government Area of of the state, confessed to the crime and revealed an Intended meeting with other gang members on November 26 to strategize on another kidnapping operation.

“Armed with this information, the team laid an ambush at their meeting point on 26/11/2023 and arrested the other gang members viz: Raymond Etchie (46) who negotiated and received the ransom; Felix Okoro (40) who is one of the syndicate’s operational driver; Oghene Ogaga sylvester (45) who guarded the victim; Henry Edeki (35), Ominike Sunday (23), Jerusalem Sunday (35), and Theophilus Akpofi (29).

“All suspects confessed to the crime admitting their various roles and have been identified by the victim.

“The suspects during interrogation disclosed the location of the victim’s vehicle which was later recovered at Oghara Town. Effort is been intensified to recover the syndicate’s operational weapons.” (Daily Sun)

Update news