Police rescue kidnapped Benin pastor, arrest suspect in Delta

The suspect, Felix Osagie, the Lexus 330 SUV and ammunition recovered from him.

Police operatives led by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Oghara Division, CSP Jimoh Hassan, have rescued a pastor and arrested one of the kidnap suspects in Delta State.

The Benin cleric was abducted by hoodlums on January 9, 2022, while in his Lexus 330 SUV with Reg No KWL 510 BH.

One Osagie Felix was arrested on Monday, January 10 in connection with the kidnap.

A statement made available on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, said “after a painstaking technical intelligence, it revealed that the vehicle was parked along Ibori Road in Oghara.

“The DPO Oghara Division detailed and led operatives to the area where the said vehicle was sighted.

“Upon sighting the vehicle, the operatives laid ambush and waited for the suspects to show up.

“Three men later appeared to pick the vehicle and the operatives rounded them up, but two of the suspects escaped while one of them named Osagie Felix ‘m’ age 36yrs of H & H Ologbo in Edo State was arrested.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the kidnapping syndicate that kidnapped the Benin-based pastor.

“He led the operatives to freedom view hotel in Oghareki where they were hibernating.

“Upon arrival at the hotel, the owner of the hotel aided the escape of the other two suspects and ran away.

“The suspect Osagie Felix led operatives to his room in the hotel and upon search, one cut-to-size double barrel pistol, six live cartridges and the sum of N410,000 which was part of the N500,000 ransom were recovered.

“Suspect also led the operatives to another room where another double barrel pistol, ten live cartridges and a laptop were also recovered.

“The victim’s vehicle was also recovered to the station. Serious manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing,” he stated.

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