The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the foiling of a kidnap attempt by some syndicates in the Oghara Kingdom in the Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe, the statement confirmed that during the celebration of the graduation at the Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, a piece of credible information was sent to the police command informing them of some suspect planning to abduct some of the guests who had attended the ceremony in the school.
The PPRO explained that the report was passed to the Divisional Police Officer of Oghara Division, Olasunkanmi Musiliu. The DPO acted fast, according to the statement, and mobilized a team of police officers to the scene of the crime and the kidnapper’s hideout at the Otefe/Ovade Legit Road.
She explained the kidnappers had earlier engaged the police in a gun duel; upon arrival at the scene, the kidnapper who sighted the police fled their hideout, with several of them sustaining different gunshot wounds.
The PPRO confirmed that during the operation, one AK47 rifle was recovered from the suspect. The statement also disclosed that the police recovered one English pump-action gun and one locally made cut-to-size gun.
The police noted that an investigation and search for the suspects have started, with the high intention of arresting them as soon as possible so that they can face the full wrath of the law.
In another successful operation by the police in the state, the statement explained that on 14th August 2024 at about 7:45 pm, the police enforcing a stop and search around the Otefe Ijomi Community Road, arrested a motorcycle carrying two male adults Ovoke Benedict, aged 22 years, who is studying Computer Science at the Delta State Polytechnic Otefe, Oghara, from Ughelli North LGA, and one Fredrick Urhoborume, aged 23 years, also a student of Business Administration at Delta State Polytechnic Otefe, Oghara, from Ughelli North LG.
During the search, the police recovered one locally made cut-to-size gun with six live cartridges from the two suspects. According to the statement, preliminary investigations have shown that the two suspects belong to the Arrow Barger Confraternity in the state; the group has been known to terrorise the area in the past.
It was further confirmed that the command had started investigating the incident.
According to the statement, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, appreciated the residents of Delta State for being proactive and sending useful information to the command for prompt action. He charged them to continue in the good light, noting that such an effort will help curb the rate of crime in the state.
He went on to advise the residents to call the command in the case of any incident or call the police dedicated phone numbers at08036684974, 08114895600, 08025666914.”
The statement further noted that the state police chief has directed the DPOs around the state to ensure proper policing of their jurisdiction. He stressed the DPOs should collaborate with residents who will provide credible information, which will ease their work and arrest criminals in the state.
