Troops Nab 8 Cultists, 2 Kidnappers In Bayelsa, Edo

The Nigerian Army, on Friday, said troops of Operation Still Waters III arrested eight cultists in Bayelsa State, two kidnappers in Edo State, and rescued one kidnap victim.

A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops of 16 Brigade successfully conducted a raid operation on a suspected cultists’ camp within Oloibiri oilfield at Otuabagi community in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State.

He said the troops during the operation arrested members of the cultist group in their hideout and recovered one Baretta pistol, one locally-made double barrel pistol, five rounds of 9mm ammunition, three live cartridges, one Baofeng communication radio, one binocular, two mobile phones and substance suspected to be cannabis.

Relatedly, troops of 4 Brigade on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 responded to a distress call by a law-abiding citizen, who reported a kidnap incident at Obagie community in Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo State.

The Army spokesman said troops rescued one Miss Blessing Uwenze, who was kidnapped by a criminal gang and arrested two members of the kidnap gang.

Troops recovered two Semi Automatic Pump Action guns, four Live Cartridges, one mobile phone and fetish items from the gang.

The victim, Miss Blessing Uwenze, has since been reunited with her family the while kidnappers have been taken into custody for further investigation.

“The suspects are currently under custody undergoing further interrogation,” Brig.-Gen. Nwachukwu stated.