By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Delta State Police Command have arrested one kidnapping suspect, Eseoghene Ezekiel Obeje, (28) suspected to be among a kidnapping gang that murdered one Regina Ogana (f) who was kidnapped alongside her husband and other members of her family on August 2, 2023.
In a statement made available by the Force Public Relations Officer, Edafe Bright, the said Eseoghene Ezekiel Obeje also fake his kidnapped and collected ransom from his brother who was earlier kidnapped with his wife but his wife was murdered in the process.
The image maker further disclosed that the Command received a distress call from the husband of the deceased that one of his brothers, Eseoghene Ezekiel Obeje ‘m’ (28) made a suspicious call to him that he was kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of Five Hundred Thousand Naira only (#500,000) and that the money was transferred into the said Eseoghene’s account as his ransom.
Not comfortable with the situation, the Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, gave a marching order to the DPO, Oreropke Police Division to embark on an intelligence-led investigation and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested.
Consequently, on August 11, 2023, at about 1145hrs acting on technically generated information, operatives of the Divisional Anti-Crime Patrol team led by the DPO, CSP Paul E. Oboware stormed Odovie Community in Ughelli North LGA and arrested the said Eseoghene Ezekiel Obeje at the same spot where the sum of One Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira (#1,300,000.00) was earlier paid as ransom for the release of his elder brother and husband of the deceased, Mrs. Regina
According to the statement, investigation has revealed that the said Eseoghene Ezekiel Obeje is a member of Eiye Confraternity. It was also revealed that he faked his own kidnapped and is also suspected to have masterminded the kidnap of his brother and other family members which led to the death of Regina Ogana.
The suspect is presently in custody and investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the command, acting on a complaint received via petition on August 10, 2023, stormed Issele-Azagba community, Aniocha North LGA, where one Igwe Uche ‘m’ (29), Victor Agogozia ‘m’ (30), Afam Okoro Victor ‘m’ (30), all residents in Issele-Azagba were arrested and upon search of the suspects, one locally made cut-to-size pistol, one single barrel gun, one live cartridge were recovered.
Suspects and exhibits are in custody and effort is being intensified to arrest other members of their gang.
Similarly, the police on August 13, 2023 at about 2130hrs acting on credible intelligence received about some hoodlums who were on their way to attack unsuspecting person(s) along Umusadege quarters, the DPO Kwale Police Division, CSP Edwin Igoche in a proactive manner, swiftly mobilized crack team of the division to Mid-Western road and in the process, two suspects namely Ugo Uzoka ‘m’ (31) of Umusadege quarters, and Ebinum Snu ‘m’ (33) were arrested during which one cut-to-size gun and six cartridges were recovered from them. Suspects are in custody and Investigation is ongoing.