2 arrested over Delta lawmaker’s wife’s kidnap

Two suspects, Safianu and Darlington, have been arrested in connection with the kidnap of Mrs Cynthia Diden, wife of Michael Diden representing Warri North Constituency at the Delta State Assembly.

According to the Anti-Kidnapping Committee set up by the House standing committee on peace and security, the breakthrough of the arrest of the suspects was tasking.

Diden, a close ally of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, is the chairman of the House standing committee on peace and security.

Leaders of the Anti-Kidnapping Committee, Mr Austin Opubor, Mabiaku Omassan and Abraham Obarume, who gave details of how the suspects were arrested, said immediately the report of the kidnap of Mrs Cynthia was received, they mobilised in collaboration with the police to rescue the victim.

According to them, they were closing-in on the hoodlums when the victim was quickly released by the hostage takers, adding that “making a major breakthrough in apprehending some of the suspects so far was quite tasking.”

Opubor said Safianu was swooped on by a crack team from the state police command and surveillance squad of his committee, led by Austin Opubor, Mabiaku.

Confirming the arrest, Public Relations Officer of the command, Celestina Kalu said  the matter was still being investigated with a view to arresting more suspects in connection with the kidnap.

Mrs Diden was kidnapped on Sunday, June 26 alongside her younger sister, Elizabeth at Effurun Roundabout in the Uvwie Local Government Area of the state while returning home from work.

Family sources claimed that she was released four days later without the payment of the N15 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers.