The Delta State Police Command has announced the arrest of suspects involved in self-kidnapping and armed robbery incidents in the Asaba metropolis.
Following multiple complaints of house-to-house armed robberies in Bonsaac, Okwe, and surrounding areas, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, assigned a new Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to ‘B’ Division Asaba with instructions to apprehend those responsible. On June 8, 2024, at approximately 0340hrs, the newly appointed DPO, CSP Edewor Akponegware, received credible information from a concerned resident about suspicious individuals seen around the Mango Tree Market, who were allegedly armed.
Acting promptly, the DPO led patrol teams to the scene, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects: John Dalami (25), Musa Suleiman (25), Abdullahi Jibril (20), Solomon Uchechukwu (24), Yusuf Joda (21), Egboka Chukwu Charles (21), and Wisdom Syvester (21). A search conducted at the scene led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun and one live cartridge. The suspects admitted to their involvement in multiple house-to-house armed robberies in Issele-Asagba, Coka, and Ibusa.
Further investigation by the special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime squad, based on the suspects’ confessions, led to the arrest of six additional suspects and the recovery of three more locally made cut-to-size guns at their hideout behind the DDPA Estate in Asaba. Investigations are ongoing.
In a separate incident, the police apprehended a suspect involved in a self-kidnapping scheme. The father of Nelson Eserada reported to the Abraka Division that his son had been kidnapped, with the abductors demanding a ransom of 50 million naira in Bitcoin. The kidnappers even sent a video showing Eserada tied up and being tortured.
DPO Abraka, SP Fabian Ayameh, launched a technical, intelligence-led investigation, leading to the arrest of Jerry Lawrence from Jeddo Community Warri on June 10, 2024. Preliminary investigations revealed that Lawrence had conspired with Eserada, a 400-level Banking & Finance student at Delta State University, Abraka. The father had already paid 5.2 million naira in Bitcoin to Lawrence’s account. Both suspects are now in custody, and investigations continue.
CP Abaniwonda urged parents to properly train and care for their children to prevent them from becoming societal problems. He also advised youths to avoid the get-rich-quick mentality, emphasizing that crime does not pay.