A Joint team of policemen, troops of the Nigerian Army and community vigilantes have rescued four kidnapped victims in a bush in Orerokpe community, Okpe Local Council of Delta State.
The victims, all residents of Orerokpe, were kidnapped on Monday while on transit along Abraka-Eku expressway near Orerokpe Bridge at about 4:00a.m.
Confirming the incident yesterday, spokesperson for Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, said the kidnappers had demanded N10 million ransom, but the victims’ families were yet to pay when the suspects abandoned them and escaped.
Edafe said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Police Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Paul Oboware, in a swift response to the kidnap incident, led the rescue teams, and trailed the kidnappers into the adjoining bushes using technically generated intelligence.
“They combed the bushes relentlessly, putting pressure on the kidnappers who on sighting the rescue team hastily abandoned the victims and took to their heels.
“Following the development, all the kidnapped victims were rescued and taken to the hospital where they were treated, discharged, and have since been reunited with their families,” he said.
Edafe said efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects, as there is no hiding place for criminals in the state.
The police spokesperson also confirmed the arrest of a 35-year-old gun runner at Aragba Junction along Sapele Aghalokpe Road Okpe, and a 25-year-old suspected armed robber, one Prince Diegbegha, ‘m’, a native of Ogulagha community at Palace Road, Ogulagha in Burutu Local Council of the state.
He said: “Orerokpe Police Division’s Crack Squad embarked on a proactive and crime-prevention policing within the area to effect the arrest of the suspected gun runner.
“The team in a combined effort with Aragba vigilantes, initiated an intensive stop and search operation at Aragba Junction along Sapele Aghalokpe Road, Okpe council, where they accosted one Sunday Yerakpo in possession of four new locally-made cut-to-size guns.
“The 35-year-old male suspect, who hails from Orhuwhorun in Odu Local Council, had concealed the four guns under the seat of his red Qlink motorcycle with registration Number JRT178VH.
“The suspect was immediately arrested and preliminary investigation revealed that he deals in guns, and one of his accomplices known as Ose Ogboyen, ‘m’, sent him to deliver the arms to a client, popularly known as “Saputu.”
Edafe further explained that operatives of Ogulagha Police post under Burutu council led by the District Officer (DO) in collaboration with members of the Nigeria hunters in the community and forest security service, effected the arrest of the suspected armed robber.
He said a search was conducted at his residence, and one Makarov pistol with an empty magazine was recovered, and during interrogation, the suspect claimed he bought the gun for N200, 000 from one Oshimili (now late) in the year 2018 at Ozoro.
Edafe disclosed that the suspect and exhibits are in custody, while investigation is ongoing.
