Police Crack Down On Kidnappers, Recover Weapons In Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command overpowered some suspected kidnappers as one of them, Joel Ochuko, who was hit during a gun duel with the police later died at the hospital.

While suspects escaped with bullet injuries, Ochuko died while receiving treatment at the Central Hospital in Ughelli, Delta State.

The operatives of the Commissioner of Police’s Special Squad with its base in Ughelli, on Sunday, August 12, 2024, while investigating a suspected kidnapper, Ofoye who was earlier arrested on July 18, 2024, led operatives to Ewu community, on the trail of the gunrunner who supplied arms to them for kidnapping operations.

The police operatives however came under attack by the suspect’s gang members while carrying out investigations, in a bid to free Ochuko from police custody.

The Commands Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed that the police recovered 1 Beretta Pistol with four rounds of live ammunition, 1 pump action with nine rounds of cartridges, and 1 locally fabricated revolver pump action.

Edafe added that police have launched manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Similarly, the Delta police spokesperson said operatives also stormed Sapele town on August 11, 2024 at about 0430hrs and raided the apartment of one Sapiro, whose real name is unknown from whom a Beretta Pistol was recovered in his room during a search.

Edafe said the operation was sequel to a case involving the kidnap of a 29 years old victim (name withheld) who hails from Kokori Community in Ethiope East LGA Delta State but a resident of Sapele Town.

The victim was kidnapped on February 17, 2024 at his residence by five armed kidnapping syndicate, and N5 million was transferred from his bank 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 Special Squad to investigate and ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and brought to book.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect received N1 million transferred into his account from the victim’s account and also linked to receiving the victim’s valuables from various syndicates.

Police disclosed that the suspects have all confessed to the act.