Metro

Police arrest suspected kidnapper, recover stolen vehicles in Delta

Delta State Police have intensified their crackdown on criminal activities, reporting the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and the recovery of stolen vehicles and firearms in separate operations across the state.

According to a statement from the Delta State Command through SP Bright Edafe the image-maker, the efforts are part of a broader initiative to curb crime during the Ember months.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) pursued Philip Onoghosa, the alleged leader of a kidnapping syndicate that has terrorized the Sapele-Warri Road,” Police Public Relations Officer SP Edafe Bright confirmed.

The operation, he said, took place on October 25, 2024, in Sapele town.

The suspect, Onoghosa, was reportedly seen purchasing illicit drugs at the Amukpe Roundabout.

“Upon sighting the operatives, Onoghosa fled, abandoning a black Toyota Corolla with Registration Number SKL 330 AE,” Edafe stated.

When officers searched the vehicle, they found a loaded Beretta pistol concealed beneath the driver’s seat, the command’s image-maker further noted.

In a separate incident on October 22, the Safer Highway Patrol Team, according to him, also recovered another stolen vehicle.

“Our team flagged down a Toyota RAV4 SUV with Registration Number KUJ-311-MB along the Mosogar-Benin Road,” explained Bright. “The driver attempted to evade officers, speeding off before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing into a nearby bush.”

He said the officers inspected the abandoned Toyota RAV4 and discovered documents belonging to the vehicle’s owner, who had reported it stolen from his property in Kogi State.

“The vehicle was confirmed stolen, and we found two metal master keys and 14 different Toyota vehicle keys inside,” Edafe noted.

He emphasised that a manhunt for the suspect was underway.

In a third operation on October 21, officers from the Abbi division arrested Hon. Ndubisi Okechukwu, a former councilor, for allegedly plotting a kidnapping.

“We received intelligence about a plan to abduct a prominent community member,” said CSP Florence Onum, DPO of the Abbi Division. “Our operatives launched a discreet investigation, which led us to Hon. Okechukwu.”

According to Onum, the suspect confessed that he had considered kidnapping a local woman due to his personal grievances.

“He claimed he wanted to hold her for ransom, expecting that the local government would pay, given her connections to local officials,” Edafe explained.

Okechukwu is currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.

In light of these incidents, Delta State Police Commissioner CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, as quoted by Edafe, has reassured residents of the command’s commitment to public safety.

“We want to ensure that Delta residents can sleep with their two eyes closed,” said Abaniwonda, addressing the press on Sunday.

Abaniwonda highlighted increased patrols and visibility efforts across the state’s 25 local government areas as part of the Ember month security strategy. “Our officers are on high alert, and we are targeting black spots and criminal hideouts,” he added, calling for public cooperation.

The police urged residents to assist in these efforts by providing timely information on criminal activities. “Community partnership is crucial,” SP Edafe concluded. “We need the public’s support to continue making progress in our fight against crime.”

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