Delta State Police Command has announced the death of a suspected kidnapper and the arrest of several others following a series of operations that led to the recovery of various firearms. The operations, carried out by the CP Special Squad, took place between August 5 and August 12, 2024, across various locations in Delta State.
On August 12, 2024, police operatives in Ughelli were ambushed by gang members while investigating a suspected kidnapper, Joel Ochuko Ofoye, in the Ewu community of Ughelli South Local Government Area. The gang attempted to free Ofoye, but the police overpowered them, causing the assailants to flee with bullet wounds. Ofoye was shot during the gunfight and later died at Ughelli General Hospital while receiving treatment. The police recovered a Beretta pistol with four rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with nine cartridges, and a locally fabricated revolver pump-action gun at the scene. A manhunt is ongoing for the fleeing gang members.
In a separate operation on August 11, 2024, the police arrested three members of a kidnapping syndicate in Sapele town. The arrests followed the February 17, 2024, abduction of a 29-year-old victim in Kokori Community, Ethiope East LGA. During the kidnapping, ₦5 million was transferred from the victim’s account to an unknown bank account. After the victim reported the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed a thorough investigation. Acting on intelligence, the CP Special Squad raided the residence of a suspect known as Sapiro and recovered a Beretta pistol. Two other gang members, Tony Binitie, aka “BOBO,” and Ejiro Ewuba, were also arrested, along with Ayuba Hussaini, who was linked to the sale of the victim’s valuables and had received ₦1 million transferred from the victim’s account. The three suspects confessed to the crime, and efforts continue to apprehend other syndicate members.
Additionally, on August 5, 2024, officers from the Ofuoma Division responded to a report of suspected cultists causing mayhem in Ogbovwan Community. The suspects, believed to be members of the Black Axe Confraternity, had earlier gathered at Ovine Hotel before storming the community, shooting sporadically, and destroying property. Police arrested five suspects who attempted to flee the scene, recovering three locally made cut-to-size guns, a battle axe, 12 live cartridges, seven expended cartridges, eight phones, and two cross bags.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has issued a stern warning that criminal activities will not be tolerated in the state. He assured the public that the police are committed to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting all criminally minded individuals. CP Abaniwonda also emphasized the importance of public cooperation in providing information to the police, which played a crucial role in the recent arrests. The police have urged the public to continue reporting any suspicious activities, trusting that the authorities will take swift action to ensure their safety.