The Delta State Police Command's special anti-kidnapping operatives, deployed to the Ughelli axis, engaged in a gun battle resulting in the neutralization of a suspected kidnapper and the arrest of three others now in police custody.
According to a statement by SP Bright Edafe, the Command's Public Relations Officer, released on July 6, 2024, the operation recovered an AK 49 rifle from the criminals' hideouts, with investigations ongoing.
The police action followed credible intelligence and technical insights into the kidnapping and subsequent murder of a male victim abducted on May 17, 2024, from Adjakota area in Ughelli South LGA. The syndicate responsible for this crime was targeted and cracked down upon by the police team.
On July 1, 2024, at approximately 12:00 PM, operatives raided the hideouts, leading to the arrest of Ismaila Umaru (28) from Nasarawa State but residing in Oghara town, and subsequent arrests of two accomplices: Chede Mohammed (18) and Mohammadu Sani (26), both residing in Delta State.
Following their disclosures, further operations on July 5, 2024, in the Oviri-ogor bush encountered resistance from other gang members. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, one suspect sustained fatal injuries and later died in hospital during treatment.
The recent measures by Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, including restructuring security in Ughelli and deploying a new Divisional Police Officer alongside a special operations team led by ASP Julius Robinson, have significantly contributed to these successes against kidnapping in the area.