The Delta State Police Command has arrested over eight suspected kidnappers and recovered N4 million ransom from them.

Parading the suspects on Thursday at the police headquarters in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Commissioner of Police Abaniwonda Olufemi said the command is tackling the menace of kidnapping with all available resources to ensure the arrest and prosecution of these hoodlums disturbing the peace in Delta State.

He said, ?Proactive policing, intelligence gathering and raid of criminal hideouts are part of the proactive policing approach of the Command.

?I welcome you all to this press briefing where I will be showcasing some of the command?s achievements in the past one week.

?On May 12, 2025, operatives of the Dragon patrol team, while conducting a stop and search along Kwale/Ozoro express road, intercepted a gold colour Toyota Sienna bus loaded with passengers from Ughelli en route to Asaba.

?Upon search of the vehicle, the sum of N3.1 million was recovered from four suspects: Abubakar Alwalu, 25, Usman Husseini, 25, Adamu Mohammed, 30, and Anwalu Umaru, 23.

?Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects belong to a gang of five and were allegedly responsible for the kidnapping of a lady at Ughelli in her house, held her captive for four days, and collected a ransom of 4 million. The victim has identified the four suspects. Investigation is ongoing.

?Also, on May 10, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) trailed and arrested a suspected kidnapper and gang leader named Abdullahi Ibrahim, 22, of Ekenwa Community in Ovia North-East LGA of Edo State at Ore town of Ondo State.

?The suspect led the operative to the arrest of another suspects and member of his gang known as Adamu Usman 24, both taking refuge in Ore town.

?Upon interrogation, suspects led operatives to a forest along Ore-Lagos expressway by a popular area called ?Stepdown? where one AK 47 rifle loaded with 14 rounds of live ammunition and a locally made long gun with 6 rounds of live cartridges were recovered. Suspects are in custody and the investigation is ongoing.?

CP Olufemi said the command arrested another suspected kidnapper and recovered one AK-47 rifle, N900,000 ransom, among others.

According to Olufemi, on the same May 12, 2025, acting on credible intelligence relating to a kidnap incident at Itego community, Ibusa, where one man (name withheld) was kidnapped and an undisclosed amount was paid as ransom.

?The Commander Special Anti-kidnapping and cyber-crime squad swiftly mobilize operatives and stormed Koka junction Asaba where one of the suspects later identified as Lawal Tasiu 26, resident of FCT Abuja was arrested after a hot chase.

?Upon search of the suspect, the sum of N900,000 was recovered from him. During Interrogation, the suspect stated that he is a member of a syndicate terrorizing Ibusa/Ogwashi-Uku/Issele-Azagbe environs, and the money in his possession is part of his share of the ransom collected.

?On May 13, 2025, the suspect led operatives to their hideout at Issele-Azagba area where one AK 47 rifle, one pump action gun, two AK 47 magazines, 87 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered.?

In another development, CP Olufemi said the command arrested a child trafficking suspect who drugged a mother with a juice and made away with her two-month-old baby boy in the Warri area.

He said DPO Ekpan Police station embarked on an intelligence-led investigation, trailed and arrested the suspect Mrs Joy Temitope Oyetimi 49, and after discreet interrogation, the suspects stated that indeed she was the one who stole the baby, noting that the baby who is now five months old has been rescued and handed over to his parent. (The PUNCH)

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