…Arrests Suspected Kidnappers, Cultists
…Recovers Guns, Ammunition, 1 Kidnapper Dies In Action
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
The Delta State Police Command on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, said the operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Squad with its base in Ughelli, on Sunday, August 12, 2024, while on investigation alongside a suspected kidnapper Joel Ochuko Ofoye, ‘m’ earlier arrested on July 18, 2024, led operatives to Ewu community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, in the trail of a gun runner who supply arms to them before their kidnapping operation.
The police also arrested five suspected cultists in Ughelli area under the Ofuoma police division.
In a statement signed by the Commands Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, SP. Bright Edafe, disclosed that while the operatives were carrying out investigations, they came under attack by the suspect’s gang members in a bid to free the said Joel Ochuko from police custody.
The hoodlums were however overpowered by the Police superior fire power as they fled with bullet injuries, but the suspect, Joel Ochuko Ofoye, was hit during the gun duel, and was taken to the Central Hospital Ughelli, where he died while receiving treatment.
The police recovered 1 Beretta Pistol with four (4) rounds of live ammunition, 1 pump action with nine (9) rounds of cartridges, and 1 locally fabricated revolver pump action, manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
Meanwhile, the police on August 11, 2024, also stormed Sapele town at about 0430hrs and raided the apartment of one Sapiro, real name unknown and upon search, a Beretta Pistol was recovered in his room, his gang members Tony Binitie ‘m’ (29) aka “BOBO” of Big-Warri Community in Warri South LGA Delta State, identify as the syndicate’s gang leader and one other co-gang member named Ejiro Ewuba ‘m’ (30) and a native of Owhelogbo community in Isoko North LGA of Delta State, but resident at Owumi road Sapele and one Ayuba Hussaini ‘m’ (38) a resident of Hausa quarters Sapele town who is the receiver of the victim’s jewelries / phones valued at millions of Naira was also arrested.
The operation was sequel to a case of kidnap of a 29 years victim (name withheld) of Kokori Community in Ethiope East LGA Delta State but resident in Sapele Town. He was kidnapped on February 17, 2024 at his residence by five (5) armed kidnapping syndicate, and Five Million Naira ( #5, 000, 000 ) was transferred from his account to an unknown bank account by the hoodlums.
The victim after regaining his freedom, reported to the Command,and the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda directed the CP’s special squad to investigate and ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and brought to book.
Further investigation revealed that Ayuba have received One Million Naira ( # 1, 000, 000 ) transfered into his account from the victim’s account and also linked to have received victims valuables from various syndicates and both three(3) suspects confessed to the act, as efforts are on in arresting other gang members while investigation continues.
In a similar development, the Police in Ofuoma Division on August 5, 2024, arrested some suspected cultists that converged at Ovine Hotel, Afiesere town in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.
According to statement made available by the police, on the said date, the police received a complaint at about 1100hrs that some suspected cultists have gathered at Ovine Hotel Afiesere and later went to Ogbovwan Community were they shot sporadically and killing a dog chained in the house, while doors and windows of the building was shattered with bullets.
The DPO Ofuoma Division, CSP Patrick Uebari, upon receipt of the complaint, led patrol teams to the scene.
The suspects on sighting the police, took to their heels in different directions, while police operatives went after them and arrested five suspects.
It was later revealed that all those arrested are suspected to be members of Black Axe Confraternity.
Three locally-made cut-to-size guns, one battle axe twelve live cartridges, seven expended cartridges eight phones, and two cross bags were recovered. Efforts to arrest the other fleeing suspects are on.
The commissioner of Police Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda has warned sternly that criminally minded individuals will not be allowed to thrive in the State and adequate deployments have been made to ensure that they are identified, arrested and brought to book. The CP also urged members of the public to always trust and report cases to the police, noting the fact that the suspected kidnappers were arrested six months after the kidnap, because the victim trusted the Police and made available all useful information which eventually led to their arrest.