Police nab notorious kidnapper in Delta

The Delta State Police Command successfully dismantled a notorious interstate kidnap syndicate that has been operating in Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo states.

This was contained in a statement signed by the police public relations officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Tuesday.

The statement said, “On May 16, 2025 at about 1745hrs, the operatives followed a trail to Port-Harcourt, where they arrested a syndicate member named Idirisu Yakubu, a 21-year-old male suspect from Kwara State, but a resident of Elelenwo area, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“Upon interrogation, on May 17, 2025 at about 1320hrs, he led operatives to the arrest of their gang leader and coordinator viz: Bello Amodu (40), of Tangaza LGA, Sokoto State but a resident of Elelenwo area Port Harcourt, Rivers state who is coordinating the various syndicates within the South-South and South-East region.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of Umar Mohammed Beto (38), of Tsamiya village, Bagudu LGA, Kebbi State, a resident of the Oil Mill Area, Port Harcourt area of Rivers State, who is said to be the one heading the Enugu axis.

“Upon further interrogation, at about 0635hrs of the same date, they led operatives to a bush along Ughelli – Ozoro Road where one AK-47 Rifle loaded with 23 rounds of live ammunition and a pump action with seven rounds of live cartridges were recovered.”

The PPRO stated that the investigation is ongoing in the matter.

In another development, operatives of the Eagle Net Surveillance Team based at Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA, while acting on intelligence, trailed a kidnapping/armed robbery suspect to a residence located in Warri South LGA, from where they arrested one 53-year-old Benjamin Benemor.

“Upon search of his residence, the exhibits recovered included one English Beretta Pistol with magazine, one English Double Barrel Pump Action Gun, one English Single Barrel Gun, one Locally Made Single Barrel Gun, one Locally Made Short Double Barrel Gun, one Battle Axe, and fifteen Live Cartridges.

“Also, on May 15, 2025 at about 0630hrs, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), while on stop and search along the Asaba-Benin Expressway, flagged down a Jetta vehicle with reg no: ASB18BH with two male occupants named Blessing Ngbajime, aged 49 years and Okpako Oghenhovo, aged 27.

“Upon search of the vehicle and the occupants, the operatives discovered one fabricated Beretta pistol from Okpako Oghenhovo,” the statement added.

The police spokesman affirmed that an investigation is in progress in the matter, just as the apprehended suspects are undergoing profiling and interrogation.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has commended the courage and professionalism displayed by the operatives and reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to securing the lives and property of residents.

The CP said, “These achievements demonstrate the command’s readiness to confront all forms of criminality and the readiness to act decisively against those who threaten the peace and security of the state.”

He further called on residents of Delta State to remain vigilant and provide timely information that can assist in crime prevention and detection.