Police arrests suspected serial killer in Delta State

The Delta State Police Command in Oghara has arrested a suspected serial killer, Charles Debi-Abate.

Police spokesman, Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Thursday, stating that incriminating items, including a GLK Benz SUV, two English pump-action guns, and a cache of 20 live cartridges, were recovered from the suspects.

Edafe said the apprehension of Debi-Abate was a direct response to the reported homicide of Destiny Idi, a 27-year-old resident of Ovade Community, located on Ovie Road, Ogharafe.

He added that Idi’s murder occurred on Saturday, August 5, and was suspected to have been carried out by individuals involved in cult-related activities.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, directed the recently deployed DPO Oghara, CSP Olasunkanmi Musiliu, to unravel what led to the death of the young man and arrest the perpetrators,” Edafe said.

According to Edafe, following this directive, the DPO led a team of officers from the division’s surveillance and anti-crime patrol unit in a discreet investigation that led to the identification and eventual arrest of Debi-Abate, a 39-year-old male and member of the Aro Bagger confraternity.

The policeman disclosed that the suspect, Debi-Abate, is a native of Oghara but resides in Mosagar and was apprehended on the basis of his involvement in the murder.

A preliminary investigation also revealed that Debi-Abate was part of the syndicate that murdered one Onyekachi Chibuzor, A.K.A. “ODOGWU” ‘M, aged 42 years, on Friday, July 28, according to Edafe.

He stated that the suspect has reportedly been involved in multiple cult-related attacks targeted at perceived opponents in Oghara.

Edafe noted that Debi-Abate denied any direct involvement in the gang responsible for Solomon Idi’s murder, but he identified two individuals, Onyeka and Paul (both surnames unknown), as the perpetrators of the crime.

“On 9/8/2023 at about 1130 hours, the suspect led the operatives to the premises of the said Onyeka and Paul, but the team met their absence,” Eafe added.

“On a thorough search of their premises, two English pump action guns, twenty live cartridges, and one GLK Benz SUV with registration no. RBC-995-DG were recovered.”

He added that suspects and exhibits are in custody while a manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.