SECURITY: Delta State Command Neutralizes Suspected Kidnapper, Rescues Abducted Victim

.... Recovers One Locally Made Cut-To-Size Gun

.... Arrest Suspected Armed Robber/Cultists, Recovers Arms and Ammunition.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO Ozoro Division in Delta State has foiled the kidnap of a middle aged man, names withheld, by a gang of kidnappers along the Akiweh express as they were heading towards Ozoro town.

This was disclosed in a statement issued and signed by DSP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, Delta State Command Headquarters in Asaba, occured in the early hours of Monday, 6 March, 2023.

According to the statement, "On the 06/03/2023 at about 0015hrs, the DPO Ozoro Division received a distress call that one man (name withheld) was kidnapped and is being conveyed in his Toyota Corolla car and that the kidnappers were along Akiweh express heading towards Ozoro town. 

The recovered Toyota Corolla

"The DPO Ozoro Division, CSP Ogedengbe Areguamen, swiftly mobilized and led a combined team of Police and vigilantes from Ozoro and Akiweh communities. They created a partial hold up on the road and were conducting intensive stop and search when they sighted the said Toyota Corolla car. 

The neutralized Suspect

"In a bid to stop the vehicle, the driver made a U-turn in an attempt to escape but the team gave them a hot chase, demobilized the vehicle, which precipitated the suspects to abandon the victim and fled into the bush while firing at the Police. 

"In the ensuing gun duel, one of the suspects later identified as Oghene  Fejiro ‘m’ 27yrs of Oleh was arrested with gunshot injuries, one cut-to-size double barrel gun, two (2) live cartridges were recovered and the kidnapped victim who is from Effurun was rescued unhurt and his Toyota car recovered. 

"The injured suspect was taken to the general hospital where he died while receiving treatment. 

"Investigation has commenced with a view to arresting the other fleeing members of the syndicate." 

Similarly, DSP Edafe revealed that, prior to that incident, "On the 23/02/2023 at about 2230hrs, operatives of Agbarho Division led by DSP Habu Haman received credible information about a suspected armed robber/cultist known as Kingsley Vejeta ‘m’ of Ekrerhavwe community, Agbarho, who has been terrorizing Agbarho, Ughelli and environs. 

"The operatives, in a combined effort with the community vigilantes, stormed his hideout and arrested the said suspect. During the course of investigation and interrogation of the suspect, he made useful statement and at about 0230 hours, he led the Police to the hideout of his other gang members at Ekrehavwe, Agbarho in Ughelli North LGA where on sighting the Police, they took to their heels. 

"Seven (7) locally made cut-to-size guns, and four (4) live cartridges were recovered. 

"Manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is ongoing." The statement concluded.