By Augustine Ehikioya
Acting on information, Police officials in Delta State have bursted a kidnapping syndicate and successfully neutralized 3 of the suspects.
The syndicate was operating within Sapele, Oghara and Abraka axis in the State.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Ari Mohammed Ali, while briefing journalists on Thursday on the achievements recorded in the fight against kidnapping and cultism in the State. It was monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
According to him, while smashing the syndicate, recoveries from them included 2 AK47 rifles, 3 pump action guns and 62 rounds of live ammunition
He said “On 15/3/2022 at about 1400hours, while acting on intelligence gathered, operatives from the command Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime squad trailed a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating within Sapele, Oghara and Abraka axis.
“The kidnappers were trailed to their hideout in Oghara where three suspected kidnappers were successfully neutralized by the operatives and 2 AK47 rifles, 3 pump action guns and 62 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.”
Speaking about another case, he said that 43 suspected cultists were arrested in the State, while 4 of them were killed in the clash between two cult groups.
He said “It will be recalled that on 14/3/2022, a cult clash ensued between Eiye and Arobaga confraternities in Jesse community, Ethiope West local government area where four suspected cultists were killed.
“I immediately directed the Command State Anti-Cultism Unit, Dragon Patrol, Eagle-net Special Squad and Safe Delta Patrol teams to Jesse town with a view to ensuring that sanity is immediately restored in the Community.
“Consequently, 3 members of Arobaga confraternity namely: Victor John ‘m’, Nelson Friday ‘m’ and Festus Friday ‘m’ who were alleged to have killed the 4 members of Eiye confraternity were arrested and today I am glad to say that they are here with us,” he added
Stressing that investigation is ongoing, he said, that sanity has been restored in the community.
He added “As part of measures to forestall any further break down of law and order in any part of the State, I ordered that intensive raiding be carried out on suspected cultists hideouts by DPOs in their areas of responsibilities.
“In compliance with these directives, the DPO ‘A’ Division, Warri led a combined teams of Police/Vigilante Patrol teams and carried out intensive raid at Ogedengbe and Hausa quarters respectively.
“During the raid, 21 suspected cultists were arrested. The State Anti-Cultism unit and the Command raiders squad also carried out raids in different parts of the State and arrested 19 suspected Cultists.
“I assure you all today that the Command will not relent in the fight against Kidnapping/Cultism and is more than ever before willing to identify, raid, arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting.
“Parents and guardians are therefore urged to monitor their wards and caution them to shun all forms of criminality as anyone found wanting will be arrested and prosecuted,” he stated.